What the DELE A1 Vocabulary Demands
The DELE A1 exam tests basic communicative competence in everyday situations. Vocabulary at this level covers simple, high-frequency words and phrases: greetings, numbers, colours, family members, food, transport, days of the week, and common verbs. The Instituto Cervantes defines A1 as the ability to use familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases to satisfy concrete needs.
Core Vocabulary Categories for DELE A1
Below are the key vocabulary areas you must master for DELE A1, with representative words in each category.
Personal Information and Greetings
Hola, buenos días, buenas tardes, buenas noches, hasta luego, me llamo, me llamo, ¿cómo te llamas?, soy de, vivo en, tengo [number] años, mi número de teléfono es, mi correo electrónico es, encantado/a, mucho gusto.
Numbers and Time
Uno to cien, primero to décimo, ¿qué hora es?, son las dos, el lunes, martes, miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábado, domingo, enero to diciembre, ayer, hoy, mañana, la semana pasada, la próxima semana.
Family and People
Madre, padre, hermano/a, abuelo/a, hijo/a, amigo/a, novio/a, marido/esposo, mujer/esposa, joven, mayor, alto/a, bajo/a, delgado/a, gordo/a, guapo/a.
Food and Drink
Agua, café, té, leche, zumo/jugo, pan, arroz, carne, pescado, fruta, verdura, pollo, huevo, queso, bocadillo, menú, restaurante, desayuno, almuerzo, cena, por favor, la cuenta.
Transport and Places
Autobús, metro, tren, avión, coche, taxi, aeropuerto, estación, parada, banco, hospital, supermercado, tienda, hotel, calle, plaza, ciudad, pueblo, derecha, izquierda, recto, cerca, lejos.
Verbs at A1
Ser, estar, tener, hacer, ir, venir, querer, poder, saber, hablar, comer, beber, vivir, trabajar, estudiar, comprar, leer, escribir, escuchar, mirar, necesitar, llamar, entender.
Vocabulary Study Tips for DELE A1
Use spaced repetition flashcard apps such as Anki or Quizlet to memorise words in context. Pair each word with a simple example sentence. Group vocabulary thematically rather than alphabetically — this mirrors how the exam tests words in situational contexts. Practise using vocabulary in short speaking tasks: describe your family, explain your daily routine, order food in a simulated restaurant scenario. Review words after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 2 weeks for maximum retention.
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