How are you studying vocabulary in Spanish? Are you studying single words? Stop doing that! When I talk in Spanish I don’t think single words, I have blocks in my mind that I use to say a complete meaning. These kinds of blocks are called «colocaciones».
Colocaciones are expressions or structures that work together. Native people have these prefabricated pieces (e.g. building blocks) in their mind and use them in their speech.
You can find some of the most important “colocaciones de español” divided by levels in this guide. They are perfect to use in your flashcards or with whatever technique that you are using to learn Spanish vocabulary.
We are going to update this guide little by little. As it is an open guide you can collaborate with us, especially Spanish teachers out there, by leaving comments below the guide and suggesting new ones.
Principiante:
| tener | sentido | – to make mistakes |
| tener | suerte | – to be lucky |
| tener | hambre | – to be hungry |
| tener | éxito | – to be success |
| tener | miedo | – to be scared /afraid |
| tener | en cuenta | – to keep in mind, have in mind |
| tener | una cita | – to have a date |
| tener | planes | – to have plans |
| tener | una enfermedad | – to get a disease |
| tener | calor / frío / sed / hambre / | – to be hot, cold, thirsty |
| tener | dolor |
– to have pain |
| tener | barba / bigote | – to have a moustache / beard. |
| tener | una tienda / un negocio | – to have a business, shop, store |
| tener | vacaciones | – to go on holiday / vacations |
| tener | un día libre | – to have a day off |
| tener | un puente |
– to be on bank holiday |
| tener | 20 años | – I’m 20 years old |
| tener | un examen | – to have a test |
| tener | una entrevista (de trabajo) / una reunión | – to have an interview |
| Cometer | errores | – to make mistakes |
| Prestar | atención | – to pay attention |
| dar | un consejo | – to give an advice |
| hacer | un examen | – to take a test |
| hacer | los deberes / un ejercicio / una actividad | – to do homework |
| hacer | deporte / ejercicio / gimnasia | – to do exercise |
| hacer | una fiesta (de cumpleaños / de fin de curso) | – to give/host/throw a party |
| hacer | un curso | – to do/attend/follow a course |
| hacer | una redacción | – to make a composition |
| hacer | senderismo | – to go hiking |
| hacer | hacer la compra | – to do your shopping (buy groceries) |
| hacer | fotos / una foto | – to take a photo, picture |
| hacer | hacer una reserva | – to make a reservation |