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Phase 1 · Weeks 1–6 · Survival Spanish

The 300 Core Words

Every word an American needs to survive daily life in Mexico. Organized by category. Prioritized by real-world frequency.

How to use this list: Click any word card to mark it as learned. Work through one category per day. Don't memorize — expose yourself repeatedly. Read each word aloud using the pronunciation guide. Target: 10 new words per day = all 300 in 30 days. Add each day's batch to Anki the same evening.
Words learned: 0 / 300 0%
Category 01 People & Relationships 20 words
Learn these first. Every conversation involves people. Knowing family terms also unlocks massive cultural connection in Mexico.
yoI / meyoh
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túyou (informal)too
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ustedyou (formal/respectful)oos-TED
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él / ellahe / sheel / EY-ya
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nosotrosweno-SO-tros
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ustedesyou all / y'alloos-TE-des
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ellos / ellasthey (m/f)EY-yos / EY-yas
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señorsir / Mr.sen-YOR
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señorama'am / Mrs.sen-YO-ra
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amigo / amigafriend (m/f)ah-MEE-go
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mamá / jefamom (formal / slang)mah-MA / HEF-ah
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papá / jefedad (formal / slang)pah-PA / HEF-eh
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hermano / hermanabrother / sisterer-MA-no
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hijo / hijason / daughterEE-ho / EE-ha
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esposo / esposahusband / wifees-PO-so
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novio / noviaboyfriend / girlfriendNO-byo
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vecino / vecinaneighbor (m/f)be-SEE-no
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médico / doctoradoctor (m/f)MED-ee-ko
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policíapolice / police officerpo-lee-SEE-ah
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güey / weydude / man (neutral slang)way
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Category 02 Greetings & Courtesy 20 words / phrases
Mexicans are formal in greetings. Always open with "Buenos días/tardes/noches." Skipping greetings feels rude. Never skip.
holahi / helloOH-lah
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buenos díasgood morningBWEH-nos DEE-as
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buenas tardesgood afternoonBWEH-nas TAR-des
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buenas nochesgood evening / nightBWEH-nas NO-ches
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¿cómo está usted?how are you? (formal)KO-mo es-TA oos-TED
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¿qué onda?what's up? (casual)keh ON-dah
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aquí andamosgetting by / doing okayah-KEE an-DA-mos
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mucho gustonice to meet youMOO-cho GOOS-to
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igualmentelikewise / same to youee-gwal-MEN-teh
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por favorpleasepor fa-VOR
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graciasthank youGRA-syas
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de nadayou're welcomedeh NA-da
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perdón / disculpesorry / excuse meper-DON / dis-KOOL-peh
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con permisoexcuse me (passing by)kon per-MEE-so
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sí / noyes / nosee / no
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mandepardon? / what did you say?MAN-deh
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¿cómo se llama?what is your name?KO-mo seh YA-ma
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me llamo...my name is...meh YA-mo
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hasta luegosee you later / goodbyeAS-ta LWEH-go
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provechoenjoy your meal (said to strangers eating)pro-VEH-cho
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Category 03 Numbers & Money 25 words
Numbers are survival. You need them for prices, addresses, phone numbers, time, and change. Drill 1–30 until automatic.
cerozeroSEH-ro
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uno / unaoneOO-no
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dostwodos
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tresthreetres
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cuatrofourKWA-tro
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cincofiveSINK-o
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seissixsays
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sietesevenSYEH-teh
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ochoeightOH-cho
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nuevenineNWEH-beh
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dieztendyez
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veintetwentyBAYN-teh
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treintathirtyTRAYN-ta
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cincuentafiftysin-KWEN-ta
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cien / cientoone hundredsyen / SYEN-to
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quinientosfive hundredkee-NYEN-tos
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milone thousandmeel
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¿cuánto cuesta?how much does it cost?KWAN-to KWES-ta
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caro / baratoexpensive / cheapKA-ro / ba-RA-to
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el preciothe priceel PREH-syo
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el cambiothe change (money back)el KAM-byo
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el billetethe bill / banknoteel bee-YEH-teh
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la tarjetathe card (credit/debit)la tar-HEH-ta
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efectivocasheh-fek-TEE-bo
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¿me da un recibo?can I have a receipt?meh da oon reh-SEE-bo
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Category 04 Time & Days 20 words
Master "ahorita" immediately — it's one of the most culturally loaded words in Mexican Spanish. It can mean now, soon, or never depending on tone and context.
hoytodayoy
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mañanatomorrow / morningma-NYA-na
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ayeryesterdayah-YEHR
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ahoritanow / soon / eventually (context-dependent!)ah-o-REE-ta
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ahoranow (more definite)ah-O-ra
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luegolater / thenLWEH-go
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¿qué hora es?what time is it?keh O-ra es
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la semanathe weekla seh-MA-na
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lunesMondayLOO-nes
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martesTuesdayMAR-tes
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miércolesWednesdayMYEHR-ko-les
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juevesThursdayHWEH-bes
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viernesFridayBYEHR-nes
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sábadoSaturdaySA-ba-do
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domingoSundaydo-MING-go
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el mesthe monthel mes
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el añothe yearel AN-yo
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temprano / tardeearly / latetem-PRA-no / TAR-deh
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prontosoon / quicklyPRON-to
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yaalready / now / enoughyah
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Category 05 Food & Eating 30 words
Food is culture in Mexico. Knowing these words gets you fed, respected, and invited to things. Learn "¿Pica?" (is it spicy?) on day one.
tengo hambreI'm hungryTEN-go AM-breh
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tengo sedI'm thirstyTEN-go sed
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la comidafood / lunch (midday meal)la ko-MEE-da
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el desayunobreakfastel de-sa-YOO-no
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la cenadinner (evening meal)la SEH-na
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el menú / la cartathe menuel meh-NOO
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¿qué me recomienda?what do you recommend?keh meh reh-ko-MYEN-da
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quiero...I want / I'd like...KYEH-ro
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la cuenta, por favorthe check, pleasela KWEN-ta
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rico / riquísimodelicious / super deliciousREE-ko
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¿pica?is it spicy?PEE-ka
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picantespicy / hotpee-KAN-teh
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sin chile, por favorwithout chili, pleasesin CHEE-leh
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el aguawaterel AH-gwa
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la cervezabeerla ser-BEH-sa
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el jugojuiceel HOO-go
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el cafécoffeeel ka-FEH
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la tortillatortilla (corn, not flour)la tor-TEE-ya
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el tacotacoel TA-ko
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la tortaMexican sandwichla TOR-ta
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el jitomatetomato (red)el hee-to-MA-teh
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el aguacateavocadoel ah-gwa-KA-teh
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la salsasauce / salsala SAL-sa
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el pollochickenel PO-yo
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la carnemeat / beefla KAR-neh
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el pescadofish (to eat)el pes-KA-do
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los frijolesbeanslos free-HO-les
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el arrozriceel ah-ROS
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para llevarto go / takeoutPA-ra ye-VAR
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para comer aquíto eat herePA-ra ko-MER ah-KEE
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Category 06 Places & Getting Around 30 words
Mexico City is enormous. Every other city is a maze. These words keep you from getting lost and stranded.
¿dónde está...?where is...?DON-deh es-TA
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¿cómo llego a...?how do I get to...?KO-mo YEH-go ah
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a la derechato the rightah la de-REH-cha
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a la izquierdato the leftah la is-KYEHR-da
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recto / derechostraight aheadREK-to
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cerca / lejosnear / farSEHR-ka / LEH-hos
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la callethe streetla KA-yeh
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la esquinathe cornerla es-KEE-na
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la coloniathe neighborhood (Mexico-specific)la ko-LO-nya
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el camiónthe bus (Mexican word)el ka-MYON
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el metrothe subwayel MEH-tro
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el taxithe taxiel TAK-see
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¿a cuánto queda?how far is it?ah KWAN-to KEH-da
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el aeropuertothe airportel ah-eh-ro-PWER-to
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la tiendathe store / shopla TYEN-da
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el mercado / tianguismarket / street marketel mer-KA-do / TYAN-gees
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la farmaciathe pharmacyla far-MA-sya
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el hospitalthe hospitalel os-pee-TAL
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el bancothe bankel BAN-ko
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el cajero automáticoATMel ka-HEH-ro
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el bañothe bathroomel BA-nyo
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la salidathe exitla sa-LEE-da
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la entradathe entrancela en-TRA-da
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la llavethe keyla YA-beh
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el departamentothe apartmentel de-par-ta-MEN-to
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la recámarathe bedroom (Mexican word)la reh-KA-ma-ra
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estoy perdido/aI'm lostes-TOY per-DEE-do
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necesito ayudaI need helpneh-seh-SEE-to ah-YOO-da
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¿me puede llevar a...?can you take me to...?meh PWEH-de yeh-VAR ah
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¿cuánto cobra?how much do you charge? (taxi)KWAN-to KO-bra
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Category 07 Body & Health 25 words
You will get sick in Mexico at some point — different bacteria, different food, different altitude. Know these before you need them.
me duele...my ... hurtsmeh DWEH-leh
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la cabezaheadla ka-BEH-sa
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el estómagostomachel es-TO-ma-go
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la gargantathroatla gar-GAN-ta
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la espaldabackla es-PAL-da
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estoy enfermo/aI am sickes-TOY en-FER-mo
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tengo fiebreI have a feverTEN-go FYEH-breh
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tengo tosI have a coughTEN-go tos
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la diarreadiarrheala dya-REH-ah
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vomitarto vomitbo-mee-TAR
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el medicamentomedicationel meh-dee-ka-MEN-to
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la pastillapill / tabletla pas-TEE-ya
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soy alérgico/a a...I am allergic to...soy ah-LEHR-hee-ko
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la sangrebloodla SAN-greh
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¡auxilio! / ¡ayuda!help! (emergency)owk-SEE-lyo / ah-YOO-da
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llame a una ambulanciacall an ambulanceYA-meh ah OO-na am-boo-LAN-sya
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soy diabético/aI am diabeticsoy dya-BEH-tee-ko
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el seguro médicohealth insuranceel seh-GOO-ro MEH-dee-ko
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la recetaprescription / recipela reh-SEH-ta
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necesito un médicoI need a doctorneh-seh-SEE-to oon MEH-dee-ko
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el ojo / los ojoseye / eyesel OH-ho
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la manohandla MA-no
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el pie / los piesfoot / feetel pyeh
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el corazónheartel ko-ra-SON
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embarazadapregnant (NOT embarrassed!)em-ba-ra-SA-da
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Category 08 Essential Verbs (Present Tense) 30 words
These 30 verbs in present tense give you the engine of the language. Learn the "yo" (I) and "usted" (formal you) forms first — they cover 80% of your actual needs.
ser / soyto be (permanent) / I amsehr / soy
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estar / estoyto be (temporary) / I ames-TAR / es-TOY
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tener / tengoto have / I haveteh-NEHR / TEN-go
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querer / quieroto want / I wantkeh-REHR / KYEH-ro
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poder / puedoto be able / I canpo-DEHR / PWEH-do
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ir / voyto go / I goeer / boy
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venir / vengoto come / I comebeh-NEHR / BEN-go
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hacer / hagoto do / make / I doah-SEHR / AH-go
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decir / digoto say / I saydeh-SEER / DEE-go
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hablar / habloto speak / I speakah-BLAR / AH-blo
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entender / entiendoto understand / I understanden-ten-DEHR / en-TYEN-do
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necesitar / necesitoto need / I needneh-seh-see-TAR
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buscar / buscoto look for / I'm looking forboos-KAR / BOOS-ko
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comprar / comproto buy / I buykom-PRAR / KOM-pro
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comer / comoto eat / I eatko-MEHR / KO-mo
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beber / tomarto drink (tomar is more Mexican)to-MAR
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vivir / vivoto live / I livebee-BEER / BEE-bo
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trabajar / trabajoto work / I worktra-ba-HAR
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llamar / llamoto call / I callya-MAR / YA-mo
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pagar / pagoto pay / I paypa-GAR / PA-go
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esperar / esperoto wait / hope / I waites-peh-RAR
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saber / séto know (fact) / I knowsa-BEHR / seh
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conocer / conozcoto know (person/place)ko-no-SEHR / ko-NOS-ko
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ver / veoto see / I seebehr / BEH-o
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escuchar / escuchoto listen / I listenes-koo-CHAR
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ayudar / ayudoto help / I helpah-yoo-DAR
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dar / doyto give / I givedar / doy
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llevar / llevoto take / carry / I takeyeh-VAR / YEH-bo
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salir / salgoto leave / I leavesa-LEER / SAL-go
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llegar / llegoto arrive / I arriveyeh-GAR / YEH-go
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Category 09 Key Adjectives & Descriptions 25 words
Adjectives turn nouns into communication. Without them you point and grunt. With them you describe problems, ask for what you need, express opinions.
bueno / malogood / badBWEH-no / MA-lo
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grande / pequeñobig / smallGRAN-deh / peh-KEH-nyo
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caliente / fríohot / coldka-LYEN-teh / FREE-o
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nuevo / viejonew / oldNWEH-bo / BYEH-ho
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rápido / lentofast / slowRA-pee-do / LEN-to
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limpio / sucioclean / dirtyLEEM-pyo / SOO-syo
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abierto / cerradoopen / closedah-BYEHR-to / seh-RA-do
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lleno / vacíofull / emptyYEH-no / ba-SEE-o
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chido / chafacool / cheap/bad (Mexican slang)CHEE-do / CHA-fa
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padre / padrísimogreat / amazing (Mexico)PA-dreh / pa-DREE-see-mo
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cansado / descansadotired / restedkan-SA-do
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seguro / peligrososafe / dangerousseh-GOO-ro / peh-lee-GRO-so
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urgenteurgentoor-HEN-teh
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difícil / fácildifficult / easydee-FEE-seel / FA-seel
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diferente / igualdifferent / the samedee-feh-REN-teh / ee-GWAL
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bonito / feopretty / uglybo-NEE-to / FEH-o
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mucho / pocoa lot / a littleMOO-cho / PO-ko
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todo / nadaeverything / nothingTO-do / NA-da
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solo / juntosalone / togetherSO-lo / HOON-tos
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bien / malwell / badly / fine / badbyen / mal
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posible / imposiblepossible / impossiblepo-SEE-bleh
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importanteimportanteem-por-TAN-teh
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libre / ocupadofree / available / busyLEE-breh / o-koo-PA-do
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exacto / más o menosexact / more or lessek-SAK-to / mas o MEH-nos
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otro / mismoanother / sameO-tro / MEES-mo
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Category 10 Connectors, Questions & Survival Phrases 25 words
These are the glue of language. "No entendí" and "¿Cómo se dice?" alone will save you hundreds of times. Memorize every phrase in this category.
y / o / peroand / or / butee / o / PEH-ro
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porquebecausepor-KEH
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si / cuandoif / whensee / KWAN-do
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también / tampocoalso / neithertam-BYEN / tam-PO-ko
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¿qué?what?keh
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¿quién?who?kyen
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¿dónde?where?DON-deh
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¿cuándo?when?KWAN-do
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¿cómo?how?KO-mo
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¿por qué?why?por KEH
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¿cuánto?how much?KWAN-to
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no entendíI didn't understandno en-ten-DEE
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no séI don't knowno seh
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más despacio, por favorslower, pleasemas des-PA-syo
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¿cómo se dice...?how do you say...?KO-mo seh DEE-seh
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¿me puede repetir?can you repeat that?meh PWEH-de reh-peh-TEER
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estoy aprendiendo españolI'm learning Spanishes-TOY ah-pren-DYEN-do
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¿habla inglés?do you speak English?AH-bla een-GLES
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un momentoone momentoon mo-MEN-to
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¿puedo...?may I / can I...?PWEH-do
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¿me puede ayudar?can you help me?meh PWEH-deh ah-yoo-DAR
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no hay problemano problemno eye pro-BLEH-ma
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está bienit's fine / okayes-TA byen
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sale / óraleokay/deal / alright/yeah (Mexican)SA-leh / O-ra-leh
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¡no manches!no way! / come on! (mild exclamation)no MAN-ches
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How to Load These Into Anki

Anki is free at apps.ankiweb.net. Install on your phone and computer. Keep them synced.

  1. Download the free deck "Spanish 5000 — Most Common Words" from AnkiWeb.
  2. Create your own deck called "Speak Mexico — Phase 1".
  3. Each day, add the words you studied here as new cards. Front: Spanish word. Back: English meaning + pronunciation guide.
  4. Set Anki to 10 new cards per day. Do not skip reviews — they are more important than new cards.
  5. When Anki shows you a card: recall the meaning before flipping. Rate honestly: Again / Hard / Good / Easy.
  6. Do Anki before coffee. First thing. Non-negotiable. 15 minutes maximum.