When starting a new language, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by grammar rules, textbooks, and endless lists of complicated vocabulary. But here’s the good news: mastering about 50 carefully selected words can quickly get you speaking, understanding, and laying a strong foundation. Not just any words—the right words.
These high-frequency words form the backbone of everyday conversation. Learn them, and you’ll handle basic interactions. Master them, and you’ll greatly speed up your language-learning journey.
Here’s a concise breakdown of the 50 essential words grouped by categories that reflect real-life language usage, with translations in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean.
1. Pronouns (10 words)
| English | Spanish | French | Japanese | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | yo | je | 私 (わたし) | 나 |
| You | tú | tu | あなた | 너 |
| He | él | il | 彼 (かれ) | 그 |
| She | ella | elle | 彼女 (かのじょ) | 그녀 |
| We | nosotros | nous | 私たち (わたしたち) | 우리 |
| They | ellos | ils | 彼ら (かれら) | 그들 |
| Me | mí | moi | 私を (わたしを) | 나를 |
| Him | él | lui | 彼を (かれを) | 그를 |
| Her | ella | elle | 彼女を (かのじょを) | 그녀를 |
| Us | nosotros | nous | 私たちを (わたしたちを) | 우리를 |
2. Common Verbs (10 words)
| English | Spanish | French | Japanese | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be | ser/estar | être | です/います/あります | 이다/있다 |
| Have | tener | avoir | 持つ (もつ) | 가지다 |
| Do | hacer | faire | する | 하다 |
| Say | decir | dire | 言う (いう) | 말하다 |
| Go | ir | aller | 行く (いく) | 가다 |
| Get | obtener | obtenir | 得る (える) | 얻다 |
| Make | hacer | faire | 作る (つくる) | 만들다 |
| Know | saber | savoir | 知る (しる) | 알다 |
| Think | pensar | penser | 考える (かんがえる) | 생각하다 |
| Take | tomar | prendre | 取る (とる) | 가져가다 |
3. Question Words (5 words)
| English | Spanish | French | Japanese | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who | quién | qui | 誰 (だれ) | 누구 |
| What | qué | quoi | 何 (なに) | 무엇 |
| When | cuándo | quand | いつ | 언제 |
| Where | dónde | où | どこ | 어디 |
| Why | por qué | pourquoi | なぜ | 왜 |
4. Prepositions (5 words)
| English | Spanish | French | Japanese | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In | en | dans | 中 (なか) | 안에 |
| On | sobre | sur | 上 (うえ) | 위에 |
| At | en/a | à | で/に | 에서/에 |
| To | a | à | へ/に | 에게/에 |
| From | desde | de | から | 에서부터 |
5. Connectors (5 words)
| English | Spanish | French | Japanese | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| And | y | et | と/そして | 그리고 |
| But | pero | mais | でも/しかし | 하지만 |
| Or | o | ou | または | 또는 |
| So | así que | donc | だから | 그래서 |
| Because | porque | parce que | なぜなら | 왜냐하면 |
6. Utility Words (5 words)
| English | Spanish | French | Japanese | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | sí | oui | はい | 네/예 |
| No | no | non | いいえ | 아니요 |
| Not | no | ne pas | ない | 아니다 |
| Here | aquí | ici | ここ | 여기 |
| There | allí | là-bas | そこ | 거기 |
7. Essential Adverbs (5 words)
| English | Spanish | French | Japanese | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very | muy | très | とても | 매우 |
| Really | realmente | vraiment | 本当に (ほんとうに) | 정말 |
| Always | siempre | toujours | いつも | 항상 |
| Never | nunca | jamais | 決して (けっして) | 결코 |
| Often | a menudo | souvent | よく | 자주 |
8. Basic Adjectives (5 words)
| English | Spanish | French | Japanese | Korean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | bueno | bon | 良い (よい) | 좋은 |
| Bad | malo | mauvais | 悪い (わるい) | 나쁜 |
| Big | grande | grand | 大きい (おおきい) | 큰 |
| Small | pequeño | petit | 小さい (ちいさい) | 작은 |
| New | nuevo | nouveau | 新しい (あたらしい) | 새로운 |
How to Use This List
Don’t just memorize these words—practice using them in real situations. Build sentences, speak them aloud, listen for them, and use them while reading and writing. They’re the core tools in your language-learning toolkit.
Here are a few examples to get started:
- “I want more.”
- “She is here.”
- “Why do you think that?”
Once you have these 50 words under your belt, you’ll have the essential vocabulary to form simple sentences, ask questions, and express yourself clearly in your new language.
Effective language learning doesn’t start with complexity; it starts with mastering what matters most.
The language learning app Bunpo is also a great way to review, with simple explanations and fun, quick exercises. Start your language learning journey with Bunpo!
