Learning a language, whether in the classroom or on your own, is a rewarding and fun experience. It allows you to watch movies and understand lyrics in another language, and it can even help you make new friends. When you reach an advanced level, however, a world of opportunities opens.
If you’re dreaming of an academic or professional career in Spain or another Spanish-speaking country, you’re already aware that it can be the pathway to a brilliant future. More than 500 million people around the planet speak the language—just imagine the possibilities!
Need a little help getting there? Here are some advanced Spanish phrases that can put you on track. Also, stick around for some bonus everyday Spanish idioms that will make you sound like a native. Enjoy!
Here’s to a brilliant career doing business in Spanish!
Table of Contents
- Useful Phrases for Academic Writing
- Power Phrases for Your Cover Letter
- Smart Phrases for Business and Meetings
- Bonus: Advanced Idioms, Sayings, and Proverbs for Everyday Usage
- Final Thoughts
1. Useful Phrases for Academic Writing
Academic writing is one of the most formal ways to express yourself. Once you’ve reached an advanced level in Spanish, you’ll be able to produce fluid and coherent texts for the academic sphere. Here are some advanced Spanish phrases for essays that will make your work look great:
| En este ensayo… / En esta redacción… “In this essay…” |
In Spanish, “essay” can be translated as either ensayo or redacción, the latter being less formal and more commonly used in school. Ensayo, then, is often used in higher education and research.
|
| En referencia a… / En cuanto a… “In reference to…” |
|
| De acuerdo con… / Según… “According to…” |
You can use either of these two expressions when citing other authors in your work.
|
| En mi opinión… / Según mi punto de vista… / A mi parecer… “In my opinion…” |
Great academic writing does not prohibit you from expressing your mind on the matter. However, don’t forget to make it clear when a statement is your own opinion by including these useful expressions.
|
| Por una parte… “On the one hand…” |
|
| Por otra parte… “On the other hand…” |
|
| Por el contrario… “On the contrary…” |
|
| Tal y como está indicado… “As stated…” |
| To better structure your essay, it’s important to use expressions that point out the data or argument you think is most relevant. You can use variations of the expression above, such as: Tal y como demuestran los datos… (“As the data show…”) Tal y como ha sido previamente mencionado… (“As it has been previously mentioned…”)
|
| Cabe destacar que… “It should be noted that…” |
|
| En resumen… “To sum up…” |
|
| En conclusión… “In conclusion…” |
|
- ➜ Would you like additional words and phrases to use in your essays and in the classroom? Then check out the lesson Academia on SpanishPod101.com!
Ace your essay in Spanish!
2. Power Phrases for Your Cover Letter
In Spain, a cover letter goes a long way when applying for a job. Now that so many people have a good education and are well-experienced, showing who you really are in a few paragraphs can turn the tables in your favor. However, try to maintain a formal structure and use sophisticated vocabulary with these advanced Spanish phrases:
| Entre mis competencias, cabe destacar… “Among my competencies, it should be noted…” |
| Cuento con una dilatada experiencia en… “I have extensive experience in…” |
| Uno de mis puntos fuertes es… “One of my main strong points is…” |
| A very common question in Spanish job interviews is: ¿Cuáles son tus puntos fuertes y cuáles son tus puntos débiles? (“Which are your strong points and weak points?”) Be prepared to give a good answer! |
| Trabajo bien bajo presión. “I work well under pressure.” |
Trabajo bien… (“I work well…”) is a handy expression for any type of situation in the workplace.
|
| Me especializo en el campo de… “I specialize in the field of…” |
| Estoy realmente interesado en esta oportunidad. “I’m really interested in this opportunity.” |
| Admiro la cultura de trabajo de su empresa. “I admire your company’s culture.” |
There are different things you might admire about a company that you can pinpoint in an interview or in your cover letter:
|
| Espero que les interese mi perfil. “I hope you’re interested in my profile.” |
| Estoy disponible para aclarar cualquier duda. “I’m available to clarify any doubts.” |
| Showing interest in continuing the conversation with your potential interviewer is always a good idea. An alternative phrase would be: No duden en contactarme para cualquier cuestión. (“Don’t hesitate contacting me for any inquiries.”) |
| Espero aprender más sobre su proyecto. “Looking forward to learning more about your project.” |
- ➜ Are you looking for a job in Spain? Don’t miss this blog post from SpanishPod101, where we give you the best advice, insight, and tips.
A good cover letter can get you your dream interview.
3. Smart Phrases for Business and Meetings
The business world has its own expressions and slang. Learning how to properly communicate in the workplace can make all the difference when trying to succeed in business. With these advanced Spanish phrases, you’ll learn how to express yourself in a meeting and also how to address others in a professional manner.
| Gracias por asistir a esta reunión. “Thank you for coming to this meeting.” |
| After the greetings, it’s polite to thank your coworkers, superiors, or clients for making time for the meeting. |
| En mi presentación, hablaré de… “In my presentation, I will talk about…” |
|
| Me gustaría añadir que… “I’d like to add that…” |
| Cumpliremos todos los términos del acuerdo. “We’ll fulfill all the agreement’s terms.” |
| Nos estamos retrasando con este tema. “We’re lagging behind with this issue.” |
| Tenemos que cerrar este proyecto. “We have to come to a close with this project.” |
| In order to succeed with your business endeavors, it’s important to be assertive so that everyone is on the same page when talking about work. |
| Tu aportación es muy interesante. “Your insight is very interesting.” |
| Es una idea brillante. “It’s a brilliant idea.” |
| Encouraging words always go a long way, even in the business world. Another way to celebrate someone’s good ideas is by saying: ¡Qué buena idea! (“What a good idea!”) Further, you can congratulate them for a job well done with: ¡Buen trabajo! |
| ¿Podrías resumir tu argumento? “Could you sum up your point?” |
| Gracias por su tiempo. “Thank you for your time.” |
| Te contestaré lo antes posible. “I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.” |
- ➜ Do you want to learn some more advanced phrases in Spanish for the workplace? Then visit the lesson Spanish Business Phrases on SpanishPod101.com!
Thank your coworkers for coming to your meeting!
4. Bonus: Advanced Idioms, Sayings, and Proverbs for Everyday Usage
Spanish idioms are very present in everyday conversations. Do you want to know what your teacher means when (s)he tells you to “put on the batteries”? Or maybe what the young people mean when they say “molar”?
Fear not! We’re here to help you master advanced Spanish phrases, idioms, and slang expressions.
| Ponerse las pilas “To get your act together” Literally: “To put on the batteries” |
| Si quiere aprobar el curso, tiene que ponerse las pilas. “If he wants to pass his classes, he has to get his act together.” |
| ¡Es la caña! “He / She / It rocks!” Literally: “It’s the cane!” |
| Marta me cae muy bien, ¡es la caña! “I like Marta a lot. She rocks!” |
| Estar en las nubes “To be in the clouds” |
| Estás en las nubes, no has escuchado nada de lo que he dicho. “You’re in the clouds; you haven’t listened to anything I’ve said.” |
| Hablar por los codos “To talk up a storm” Literally: “To talk through the elbows” |
| Mi abuela nunca se calla, habla por los codos. “My grandma never shuts up; she talks up a storm.” |
| Tirar la toalla “To throw in the towel” |
| Cuando vio que se complicaba el camino, tiró la toalla y se fue. “When he saw that the path got complicated, he threw in the towel and left.” |
| Echar una mano “To give a hand” |
| Miguel me echó una mano para estudiar el temario. “Miguel gave me a hand studying the syllabus.” |
| No me importa ni un pimiento “I don’t care at all” Literally: “I care less than a pepper” |
| No me importan ni un pimiento sus excusas. “I don’t care at all about her excuses.” |
| Dejar plantado “To stand (someone) up” |
| Su pareja le dejó plantado. “His partner stood him up.” |
| En un abrir y cerrar de ojos “In a split second” Literally: “In an opening and closing eyes time” |
| Me comí el pastel en un abrir y cerrar de ojos. “I ate the cake in a split second.” |
| Otro gallo cantaría “Things would be different” Literally: “Another rooster would sing” |
| Si hubieras estudiado, otro gallo cantaría. “If you had studied, things would be different.” |
| Tener mala leche “To be nasty” Literally: “To have bad milk” |
| Antonia me da miedo, tiene muy mala leche. “Antonia frightens me; she’s very nasty.” |
| Molar mucho “To be cool” |
| ¡Esta fiesta mola mucho! “This party is very cool!” |
- ➜ Spanish is a rich language, and idioms play an important role in how we communicate each day. Don’t miss the lesson Spanish Idioms on SpanishPod101.com to learn more.
Otro gallo cantaría… (“Things would be very different…”)
5. Final Thoughts
In this guide to advanced Spanish phrases, you learned a variety of expressions that will help you improve your speaking and writing for the academic and business worlds. You even picked up several Spanish idioms!
Studying and working in a Spanish-speaking country is possible for an advanced student such as yourself. However, it’s best to keep on learning and to memorize even more advanced phrases in Spanish. You can continue your studies with the variety of advanced Spanish lessons available on SpanishPod101.com, each one designed with both progress and fun in mind! In fact, we have advanced pathways for different varieties of Spanish:
And don’t forget to check out the free vocabulary lists and other useful tools on SpanishPod101.com. They will make your path to mastery both fun and convenient. Create your free lifetime account to get started!
¡Que te diviertas! (Have fun!)
The Advanced Spanish Words You Definitely Need
Speaking Spanish in casual conversations is a rewarding experience. Sure, native Spanish speakers converse at a really fast pace. But, if you ask them to slow down, they will—and they will probably try to help you understand and be part of the conversation.
At the end of the day, there’s a reason why Spanish-speaking countries are said to have some of the friendliest people!
But what happens when, instead of an informal chat over some wine and tapas, you have to face a doctor’s appointment or a super important business meeting? Formal situations will call for advanced Spanish words, which might be scary for those who are still learning.
Namely, you’ll have to step up your game in order to succeed in conversations related to higher education, business, the law, and even medicine.
Don’t worry, though! You can be prepared for all those kinds of situations! SpanishPod101 is here to help with this guide to the advanced Spanish words you’ll need to thrive in a variety of contexts. Also, stick around for some bonus expressions that will help you ace your next Spanish essay.
¡Que lo disfrutes! (“Enjoy!”)
Do business in Spanish like a pro!
Table of Contents
- Advanced Academic Words
- Advanced Business Words
- Advanced Medical Words
- Advanced Legal Words
- Bonus: Alternative Words for Acing a Spanish Essay
- Final Thoughts
1. Advanced Academic Words
One of the reasons people move to Spain is to study, whether that means studying the Spanish language itself or pursuing another subject of interest. However, one must keep in mind that the academic environment is much more formal than everyday Spanish life.
Especially if you have to write essays, compose a thesis, or discuss a topic in class, you’ll need to master some advanced Spanish vocabulary related to the academic world. Of course, if you forget some of the most common classroom phrases in Spanish, you can always head over to SpanishPod101.com to review them!
Here you’ll find the essential words related to studies and training, so you’ll be prepared for everything from exams to seminars. We have also included a section on advanced Spanish words that’ll help you defend your work or thesis.
You’ll notice that many words are similar to their English counterparts, as formal or niche words tend to evolve less in languages. This means you’re one step ahead in mastering advanced Spanish!
1 – Studies and Training
| Estudios | Studies |
| Formación | Training / Studies |
Formación is a common word used to describe one’s academic curriculum in formal situations (i.e., a job interview). It’s more generic than estudios, as it applies to both formal and informal training/education.
| |
| Curso | Training course |
| Conferencia | Conference |
| Seminario | Seminar |
| Examen | Exam |
| Redacción | Essay |
| Trabajo | Paper |
| Avaluación | Assessment |
| Carrera | Degree |
| False friend alert! The word carrera, very similar to the word “career,” does mean the same as its English counterpart in work-related contexts. However, in the academic world, carrera also means “degree”!
| |
| Graduado | Graduate |
| Doctorado | PhD |
| Competencias | Competences |
| Plan de estudios | Syllabus |
¿Cuál es el plan de estudios de tu carrera? (“What’s the syllabus of your degree?”)
2 – Defending Your Thesis
| Investigación | Research |
| Investigador | Researcher |
| Autor / Autora | Author |
| Sujeto | Subject / Exhibit |
| Muestra | Sample |
| Análisis | Analysis |
| Experimento | Experiment |
| Demostración | Demonstration / Proof |
| Comprobación / Verificación | Verification |
| Resultado | Result |
| Campo | Field |
| Método | Method |
| Justificación | Justification |
| Reflexión / Consideración | Consideration |
| Opinión | Opinion |
| Argumento | Argument |
| Take into account that the Spanish word argumento never refers to a quarrel. Instead, if you wanted to indicate that two scholars are having “a heated argument,” you would say they’re having una discusión acalorada. | |
| Ambiguo | Ambiguous |
| Polémica / Controversia | Controversy |
Los investigadores (“The researchers”)
2. Advanced Business Words
Similar to entering the Spanish academic world, finding a job that requires you to speak fluent Spanish is a challenging opportunity. First things first: You need to learn all the essential words related to the workplace.
You already know the basics, of course. But if you need to review, you can refer to the Spanish Job Vocabulary lesson on SpanishPod101.com.
Here are the advanced words in Spanish that will help you handle business like a pro!
| Empresa | Business / Company |
| Empresa is the most common word used to refer to a business or company. However, you will hear the word compañía more and more frequently due to influence from the English language. | |
| Multinacional | Multinational company |
| Asesoría | Consulting |
| Reunión | Meeting |
| Convención | Convention |
| Fiscalidad | Taxation |
| Factura | Bill |
| Tesorería | Treasury |
| Contabilidad | Finances / Accounting |
| Oferta | Offer |
| Contraoferta | Counteroffer |
| Estrategia | Strategy |
| Campaña | Campaign |
| Informe | Report |
| Salario | Salary / Wage |
| Convenio | Collective bargaining |
| In Spain, there are hundreds of convenios that apply to all kinds of different jobs. They establish a minimum wage, acceptable job conditions, and workers’ rights for each profession. Don’t forget to check out your convenio if you’re looking for a job in Spain! | |
| Contrato | Contract |
¡Estás contratado! (“You’re hired!”)
| Producto | Product |
| Suministro | Supply |
| Servicio | Service |
| Venta | Sale |
| Ganancias | Profit |
| Pérdidas | Loss |
| Auditoría | Audit |
| Declaración de la renta | Tax return |
| Trabajador asalariado | Worker (of a company) |
| Trabajador autónomo | Self-employed worker / Freelancer |
| From a fiscal point of view, there are two main types of workers in Spain: those who are employed by a company (trabajador asalariado) and those who are self-employed (trabajador autónomo). | |
| Mercado | Job market |
- → Want to learn more advanced Spanish for business or review the basics? SpanishPod101 has plenty of lessons that can help you prepare for the Spanish workplace.
3. Advanced Medical Words
Some of the most important advanced Spanish words are those related to the field of medicine. You never really think about these words until you urgently need to use them!
Having to visit the doctor is normally an unpleasant (and often unexpected) situation that can make us feel vulnerable, especially if we don’t understand the words he or she is saying. “Radiografía? What’s that supposed to mean? It sounds bad…!”
Don’t panic. Here is an advanced Spanish vocabulary word list that will prepare you for any medical situation!
Knowing medical vocabulary in Spanish will definitely help you feel more at ease!
| Visita | Appointment |
| Radiografía | X-ray test |
| Biopsia | Biopsy |
| Ecografía | Sonogram |
| Médico general | General practitioner |
| Médico de cabecera / Médico de familia | Family doctor |
| Médico de cabecera or médico de familia refer to general practitioners who are assigned to the different users of the public healthcare system. As they know each of their patients and their background, they deal with most of the issues that don’t require a specialist. It’s important to have your own médico de cabecera if you live in Spain. | |
| Médico especialista | Specialist |
| Médico residente | Resident doctor |
| This term applies to doctors who, after graduating medical school and passing a very demanding entry exam, specialize in their field of choice for four years. | |
| Enfermero/a | Nurse |
| Auxiliar de enfermería | Nursing assistant |
| Dentista / Odontólogo/a | Dentist / Odontologist |
| Dermatólogo/a | Dermatologist |
| Cardiólogo/a | Cardiologist |
| Traumatólogo/a | Orthopedic surgeon |
| Ginecólogo/a | Gynecologist |
| Urólogo/a | Urologist |
| Ambulancia | Ambulance |
| Gripe | Flu |
Tengo la gripe… (“I got the flu…”)
| Gastroenteritis / Virus estomacal | Stomach flu |
| Infección de orina / Cistitis | Urinary tract infection / Cystitis |
| Insolación | Sunstroke |
| Intoxicación alimentaria | Food poisoning |
| Embolia | Stroke |
| Ataque al corazón / Infarto | Heart attack |
| Ataque de ansiedad | Panic attack |
| Demencia | Dementia |
| Coma | Coma |
| Receta médica | Medical prescription |
| Don’t forget your receta when going to the pharmacy! In Spain, many common drugs cannot be bought without a medical prescription. | |
| Medicamento | Drug / Medication |
| Tratamiento | Treatment |
- → Did something go wrong during your medical appointment? Here’s how you can complain about it in Spanish!
4. Advanced Legal Words
Dealing with legal or bureaucratic situations is a classic example of when you would need to know advanced words in Spanish. Legal vocabulary is highly formal and technical, and it’s easy to feel frustrated if, for example, you can’t tell the difference between the abogado and the procurador.
With this advanced Spanish words list, you’ll learn the most important concepts of the legal world. Knowing these words will prepare you to face any situation involving the public administration or the court system.
Don’t forget to get yourself a good attorney, too!
¡Silencio en la sala! (“Order in the court!”)
| Denuncia | Report |
| Demanda | Lawsuit |
| Solicitud | Request |
| Representante legal | Legal representative |
| Abogado | Attorney |
| Abogado de oficio | Public defender |
| In Spain, you have the right to have a defense attorney (abogado de oficio) assigned to you free of charge. | |
| Procurador | Lawyer |
| Testigo | Witness |
| Acusado | Defendant |
| Denunciante | Accuser |
| Fiscal | Prosecutor |
| Juez | Judge |
| Tribunal | Court |
| Jurado | Jury |
| Juicio | Trial |
| Sentencia / Condena | Sentence |
| Recurso / Apelación | Appeal |
| Depending on the legal or bureaucratic process, the appeal will be called a recurso or an apelación. | |
| Aprobación | Approval |
| Denegación | Rejection |
| Burocracia | Bureaucracy |
| Administración pública | Public administration |
| Funcionario | Public worker |
5. Bonus: Alternative Words for Acing a Spanish Essay
As promised, here is a bonus list of advanced Spanish words you can use to surprise your Spanish teacher!
You already know how to describe objects, people, and feelings, and how to maintain a coherent and fluent discourse. The next step is to start introducing some “high-end” words (including helpful connectors) into your vocabulary that can substitute basic everyday words. Using them well can help you score higher on your writing tests.
Connectors can definitely help you seem more clever!
1 – Adjectives
For “big” and “long”:
| Mayúsculo | Enormous / Tremendous |
| Considerable | Noteworthy |
| Prolongado | Extended |
| Extenso | Extensive |
| Vasto | Vast |
For “important”:
| Notable | Notable / Prominent |
| Destacado | Prominent |
| Significativo | Significant |
| Trascendental | Very, very important |
For “small”:
| Diminuto | Tiny |
| Reducido | Limited / Reduced |
| Insignificante | Insignificant |
| Minúsculo | Minuscule |
¡Mira estos diminutos pollitos! (“Look at these tiny chickens!”)
2 – Adverbs
For “only” and “just”:
| Solamente | Solely |
| Exclusivamente | Exclusively |
| Únicamente | Uniquely |
| Única y exclusivamente is a phrase that combines two of the words mentioned here. It means basically the same thing but helps reinforce the idea of “only.” Note: In Spanish, when using an adverb ending in -mente after another, you can ditch the -mente in all adverbs except the last one. Here’s an example:
| |
Positive reinforcers:
| Completamente | Completely |
| Totalmente | Totally |
| Íntegramente | Entirely |
| Obviamente | Obviously |
| Efectivamente | Indeed |
| Evidentemente | Evidently |
| Sin duda | Without a doubt |
| Por supuesto | Of course |
Negative reinforcers:
| Difícilmente | Hardly |
| Ligeramente | Slightly |
| Insuficientemente | Insufficiently |
| Levemente | Slightly |
| Pobremente | Poorly |
| Con dificultad | With difficulty |
- → Move to the next level with these 100 Spanish adverbs!
3 – Connectors
For “likewise”:
| También | Too / Also |
| Igualmente | Equally |
| Asimismo | Additionally |
For “so”:
| Así pues | So |
| Justamente | Precisely |
| Precisamente | Precisely |
| De este modo / De esta forma | Thus |
For “however”:
| Sin embargo | Nevertheless |
| Aunque | Although |
| Aun | Even if |
| Si bien | Albeit |
| No obstante | Despite |
| Pese a que | In spite of |
For “moreover”:
| Además | In addition |
| Es más | Moreover / Furthermore |
For “regarding”:
| En cuanto a | With regard to |
| Respecto a | Regarding / With respect to |
| En relación a | In relation to |
| A propósito de | Concerning |
For “to sum up”:
| En conclusión | In conclusion |
| En definitiva | Ultimately |
| En resumen | To sum up |
¡Qué buen discurso! (“What a great speech!”)
6. Final Thoughts
In this guide to advanced Spanish words, you have learned the most important words in the academic, business, medical, and legal worlds. Also, the bonus section gave you a handful of tools you can use to ace your written exams or essays in Spanish class. You’re now prepared to face any type of formal situation!
Did you know any of these words already? Which ones?
Of course, you can still continue your journey of learning advanced Spanish! SpanishPod101.com has plenty of advanced Spanish lessons to help you gain knowledge, skills, and confidence. We will help you dive deeper into Spanish culture and flex your fluency in any situation. And don’t forget to check out the free vocabulary lists and other useful tools on SpanishPod101.com. They will make the path super fun!
¡Hasta pronto! (“See you soon!”)
How to Pass the DELE Spanish Proficiency Test
At some point in your Spanish-learning journey, you’ll probably want to test your mettle and see how far you’ve come. Few things are as motivating as tangible progress, after all! And depending on your reasons for learning Spanish, becoming certified in your Spanish proficiency may be necessary to achieve your goals.
That’s where the DELE Spanish test comes in.
In this article, we’ll explain everything about the DELE, one of the official Spanish language exams: what it is, how to sign up, and why you should care. You’ll also learn all the details about the six possible DELE Spanish exam levels and how to identify yours.
For those of you who don’t know much about DELE, this article will inform you about everything you need to know. For those of you who have decided to take the exam, this article is also designed to help you prepare for the big day. In particular, we’ll give you an in-depth look at each of the four sections of the exam and offer you some tips and techniques to succeed!
Table of Contents
- What is the Spanish DELE Exam?
- Introduction to the DELE Exam
- DELE A1
- DELE A2
- DELE B1
- DELE B2
- DELE C1
- DELE C2
- Tips on Preparing for DELE
- Conclusion
1. What is the Spanish DELE Exam?
DELE stands for Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera, or in English, “Spanish as a Foreign Language Diploma.”
This is an official diploma that certifies various levels of proficiency in Spanish.
This certificate is issued by the Instituto Cervantes, the official representative of the Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional de España. El Instituto Cervantes is an official Spanish institution recognized worldwide, which makes the DELE the best choice for validating your Spanish proficiency.
This exam is designed by following the Common European Framework of References for Languages. So, it’s made and designed by the standards of the European Union.
1- Why Should You Take the DELE Exam?
There are many possible reasons why you would want to pass a DELE:
- If you’re considering entering into a Spanish university
- If you’re planning to apply for a Spanish permit
- If you want to find a job in Spain or any other Spanish-speaking country
- If you want to request a Spanish citizenship
Whatever your reasons, it’s good to know that the DELE is:
- Valid for a lifetime (it does not have an expiration date)
- Internationally recognized
- In accordance with the CEFR Common European Framework, for levels A1 through C2
Yes! The Spanish DELE certificates cover all the levels, from A1 to C2. It’s a highly recommended certificate if you want to access the professional and academic world of a Spanish-speaking country.
In Spain, DELE certificates are recognized by institutions and national organizations such as the Ministry of Justice of Spain, Ministry of Health of Spain, and some general State Administration and public bodies.
Generally, it’s recommended that a Spanish student aims to pass the DELE Spanish exam at the B2 level. This shows that the student can interact with natives, have a clear argument, and understand the gist of what they read and hear. Further, many universities and official institutions in Spanish-speaking countries ask that candidates attain the B2 certification.
With the basics out of the way, let’s move on to our section on DELE preparation and what to expect.
2- What Do the DELE Exams Look Like?
The DELE exam consists of four distinct sections:
1. Reading (Compresión de lectura)
2. Writing (Expresión e interacción escrita)
3. Listening (Comprensión auditiva)
4. Speaking (Expresión e interacción oral)
Depending on which level you’re testing for, you may be allotted a different amount of time per section.
Keep reading to learn more about each section!
3- Additional DELE Information
Before we move forward, we’re going to cover a few key points that you should know before you start preparing!
A- Subjects
The DELE exams tend to cover four key subjects:
- Personal
- Public
- Education
- Professional
Thus, many of the questions, texts, and listening materials will have something to do with one of those key areas. The idea is to test your Spanish proficiency in a variety of contexts, depending on your goals and which level you’re testing for.
B- Who Can Take DELE?
You may be glad to hear that there are no restrictions concerning who can take the exam! All of the age and nationality restrictions that were previously in place have been taken down.
On a side note, if you’re younger than sixteen years old, you’ll need to have a parent or guardian help you register.
You can find some more information about who can take the test on this official web page.
C- Where Can You Sign Up & Take the Exam?
There are testing centers for the DELE exam all over the globe. To find your nearest testing center, you can check on the official web page and reach out to the location to register.
If you’re in Spain, you can register from the Instituto Cervantes web page directly. But if you’re testing elsewhere, you must register with your nearest location.
2. Introduction to the DELE Exam
In order to prepare for the DELE, you need to know which level you’re at and what level you’re aiming for.
Why?
Well, the level you decide to test for will determine a number of factors concerning how you should prepare. For example, different DELE levels may give test-takers different amounts of time per section or cover specific topics not included in other levels.
Be reasonable with your goals, though. It would be very difficult to push yourself from the A1 level (beginner) to the C1 level (advanced), unless you give yourself six months or more to study. Anything can be achieved if you study hard, though we do recommend you keep your goals doable for you and your lifestyle!
Now we’ll provide all the information and details you need to pass the Spanish DELE exam.
| Level | Description | You should: |
| A1 DELE A1 A1 – for young learners (candidates eleven to seventeen years old) | Beginner | Understand and use familiar everyday Spanish expressions as well as simple statements about practical needs Introduce yourself to someone in Spanish Ask someone questions in Spanish Answer similar types of questions Have very basic conversations if the other person is talking slowly and deliberately articulating |
| A2 DELE A2 | Lower-intermediate | Understand and be able to use daily Spanish expressions relevant to your surroundings, like personal information, shopping phrases, or interesting locations Address questions about your immediate needs You should be able to communicate about usual or known aspects of your past or your environment |
| B1 DELE B1 A2/B1 for young learners (candidates eleven to seventeen years old) The candidates who pass will receive one of the two certificates, depending on their results. | Intermediate | Understand main topics like studies, work, or daily life when you’re listening to or reading texts Be prepared to handle situations that take place in these familiar contexts Write simple but coherent texts on familiar topics like experiences, plans, wishes, or opinions |
| B2 DELE B2 | Upper-intermediate | Understand abstract or technical situations, whether written or spoken, as well as accents and variations of the Spanish language Speak in Spanish fluently and naturally without hesitation Debate when you write about several topics and be capable of defending your opinion |
| C1 DELE C1 | Advanced | Understand variations of the Spanish language, and recognize variations, intentions, and meanings Express yourself fluently, spontaneously, and without any apparent effort Always find the adequate expression for every situation and context Write very difficult texts effortlessly and be able to build high-quality texts with a coherent structure |
| C2 DELE C2 | Proficient | Handle any situation and understand everything, written or spoken, regardless of how complex, abstract, or unfamiliar it is, or what variety of Spanish is used Express yourself spontaneously, fluently, and with exceptional semantic and grammatical precision in every context |
The content of your DELE exam depends on your level, so it’s important that you become familiar with each of the four exam sections based on level. They all follow the structure given above, but the time allotments and exercises may change.
Tip: Remember to do the sections you’re good at first, and focus on the more difficult ones last so you can spend more time on those sections. That way, you don’t lose your score!
3. DELE A1
Reading test
For your reading test, you should be able to understand common Spanish words and names, as well as easy phrases such as those on street signs or in catalogues.
- Duration: 45 min
- Sections: 4
- Exercises: 25
Listening test
You should be able to recognize basic Spanish words and expressions that are used in everyday interactions and in contexts that are familiar to you.
- Duration: 20 min
- Sections: 4
- Exercises: 25
Speaking test
You should be able to use easy Spanish expressions and sentences to describe where you live and the people you know.
- Duration: 15 min
- Sections: 4
Writing test
For the writing portion, you should be able to write simple phrases and sentences, such as birthday wishes or a postcard.
- Duration: 25 min
- Sections: 2
- This reading part of the DELE exams takes the 25 %
4. DELE A2
Reading test
If you’re planning to take the DELE A2, you should be capable of reading and understanding short and easy Spanish texts.
- Duration: 60 min
- Sections: 5
- Exercises: 30
Listening test
For the listening test, you should understand Spanish sentences and Spanish vocabulary about everyday topics.
- Duration: 35 min
- Sections: 5
- Exercises: 30
Speaking test
You should be able to communicate in a simple fashion about daily things and activities. You should be able to have short social conversations in Spanish.
- Duration: 15 min
- Sections: 4
Writing test
You should be able to write basic Spanish notes and messages that relate to your immediate needs.
- Duration: 50 min
- Exercises: 30
5. DELE B1
Reading test
You should be able to understand ideas and concepts used in everyday life, such as words and phrases in Spanish TV shows.
- Duration: 40 min
- Sections: 5
- Exercises: 30
Listening test
If you’re taking the DELE B2, you should understand texts written in everyday Spanish language. You should also be able to grasp the description of events, feelings, and wishes in personal letters.
- Duration: 70 min
- Sections: 5
- Exercises: 30
Speaking test
You should be able to handle almost all situations when traveling to a Spanish-speaking country. In addition, you should be able to spontaneously take part in conversations about familiar and daily topics.
- Duration: 15 min
- Sections: 4
Writing test
You should be able to write easy and well-connected Spanish texts about familiar topics and personal interests. You should also be able to write personal letters describing any of your experiences and impressions.
- Duration: 60 min
- Sections: 2
6. DELE B2
Reading test
For the DELE B2 reading test, you should be capable of understanding articles on current issues as well as contemporary literature in Spanish.
- Duration: 70 min
- Sections: 4
- Exercises: 36
Listening test
You should be able to understand speeches or conferences, including complex chains of thought. In addition, you should be able to follow TV news and understand most movies in standard Spanish.
- Duration: 40 min
- Sections: 5
- Exercises: 30
Writing test
For the writing test, you should be able to write clear Spanish texts about a variety of topics and elaborate on a specific point of view.
- Duration: 80 min
- Sections: 2
Speaking test
For the speaking test in Spanish, you should be fluent and spontaneous when having a conversation with natives.
Oh, yes! This level is quite a lot harder!
You should also be able to elaborate and defend your point of view in debates.
- Duration: 80 min
- Sections: 2
7. DELE C1
Reading test
For the DELE C1 reading test, you should be able to read long and complex Spanish texts with different literary styles, as well as technical instructions.
- Duration: 90 min
- Sections: 5
- Exercises: 40
Listening test
For the listening portion, you should be able to understand speech, including dialogue in TV shows and movies, without effort. So, try some Netflix in Spanish and see if this DELE exam is for you.
- Duration: 50 min
- Sections: 4
- Exercises: 30
Writing test
For the writing test, you should be able to write clear Spanish, especially for things such as informative reports or essays for a Spanish university.
- Duration: 80 min
- Sections: 2
Speaking test
If you know how to write an essay in Spanish, the speaking test should be pretty easy for you.
You should be able to express yourself fluently and without looking for the right expression. We recommend that if you’re at this level, you visit a Spanish-speaking country to practice before taking your DELE exam!
- Duration: 20 min
- Sections: 3
8. DELE C2
This test is for masters, but if your Spanish is great and you need to take the DELE, this is the level for you.
Combined Skills: Reading + Listening Test
You should be able to read all forms of written Spanish with ease, even when the topics are abstract and complex (such as manuals or Spanish literature).
- Duration: 105 min
- Sections: 6
- Exercises: 52
Combined Skills: Listening + Writing + Reading Test
You should be able to read all forms of written Spanish, including literature.
- Duration: 150 min
- Sections: 3
Combined Skills: Speaking + Reading Test
For this section of the test, you should be able to read all forms of written Spanish. In addition, you should be able to introduce yourself, have a conversation about any subject,and talk about things like newspaper headlines.
- Duration: 20 min
- Sections: 3
Good luck!
9. Tips on Preparing for DELE
Here, we’ll share some useful tips on how to prepare for and pass your Spanish exam.
1- Book the exams first.
We recommend that you book the exam first and give yourself enough time to prepare. That way, you don’t procrastinate; you know you have to study, so you’ll set yourself to it.
If you just study for the sake of it and leave the rest for when you feel prepared, believe me, you will never feel prepared.
To prepare, do as many practice tests as you can. Time yourself, do the parts you’re good at first, and do them fast so you can spend more time on the parts you’re not as good at. You can find mock exams on the Instituto Cervantes web page.
2- Work on your weaker areas.
Let’s say that while you’re preparing for your exam, you discover that your reading skills aren’t that good, but your listening skills are great. Well, work more on your reading. By spending more time on your weaker areas to begin with, you’re allowing yourself to study and improve while you still have the focus and motivation to do so! You can always brush up on your stronger areas afterward.
3- Practice managing your time.
Have you ever done poorly on a test that you studied hard for? You knew the information and had the skills, but you failed to complete the test on time…
You can avoid this situation by learning how to manage your test-taking time now. A great way to do this is by timing yourself while taking mock tests, and figuring out how to improve your times.
10. Conclusion
You were lucky enough to have found SpanishPod101.com, the best place online to learn Spanish vocabulary and grammar, get expert tips, and practice everything you’re learning.
If you’re a beginner, there are a few blog posts you may want to check out: How to Say Hello in Spanish, How to Say Thank You in Spanish, and How to Say I Love You in Spanish.These articles will provide you with basic phrases for some of life’s most common interactions and situations!
Is your Spanish a bit more advanced? Then see our article about Spanish Travel Phrases to prepare for your trip to a Spanish-speaking country. It can also help you get a great score on your DELE Spanish exam.
Of course, if you’re a master of the Spanish language, then you should check out this post and share it now on social media in perfect Spanish. (And while you’re at it, share how much you’re going to kill it on your DELE exam!)
Before you go, let us know in the comments if you have any more questions about the DELE exam that we didn’t cover here. We’ll do our best to help you out!
Happy Spanish learning!
Life Event Messages: Learn Happy Birthday in Spanish & More
We love sharing life event messages on our social media and through instant messages, right? Life events are very significant moments, and many of them are like rituals to us. Take birthdays, weddings, and funerals for example.
If you’re learning Spanish and want to say happy birthday in Spanish to your loved ones, or perhaps share your best wishes for the holidays in Spanish with your friends, it’s important to know what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.
These types of Spanish greetings and well-wishes for important occasions are normally language-specific words which shouldn’t be literally translated. So when you’re trying to say Merry Christmas in Spanish and Happy New Year in Spanish, instead of translating them, you should learn the proper way to do so. This will ensure that you say the right thing at the right time, and avoid confusion.
Let’s learn the best Spanish congratulations and best wishes for any life event, and how to use them.
Table of Contents
- How Do You Say Happy Birthday in Spanish?
- Best Wishes & Greetings in Spanish for the Holidays
- Spanish Congratulations: Weddings & Engagements
- Spanish Congratulations: Pregnancy, Baby Shower, and New Baby
- Congratulations in Spanish for Graduations
- Spanish Congratulations Phrases for Promotions & New Jobs
- Spanish Congratulations Messages for Retirement
- Condolences in Spanish: Death & Funerals
- What to Say About Bad News
- What to Say When Someone’s Injured or Sick
- Conclusion
1. How Do You Say Happy Birthday in Spanish?
We all want to celebrate, congratulate, and be congratulated on our special day. Celebrations are a big part of any Spanish-speaking country. We celebrate everything, yes everything! That’s why we have so many bank holidays, even for saint days.
Send the perfect message on your friend’s birthday and make them feel special!
Feliz cumpleaños, which means Happy Birthday in Spanish, is the most common way to congratulate them right and simple. In Spain, we give two kisses (one on each cheek) or a hug, but in some Latin American countries, one kiss is enough.
If you don’t get to see them, text them! A quick message on their social media will make their day. Let’s answer the question “How do you say Happy Birthday in Spanish?” with some examples you can use:
- ¡Que todos tus deseos se hagan realidad!
“May all your wishes come true!” - ¡Felicidades!
“Congratulations!” - ¡Que cumplas muchos años más!
“I hope you enjoy many more years!” - ¡Que tengas un maravilloso día!
“Have a wonderful day!” - ¡Mis mejores deseos en este día tan especial para ti!
“I wish you all the best on your special day!” - ¡Enhorabuena!
“Congratulations!”
And there are some special phrases, such as:
- Si es tu cumpleaños, ¿por qué el regalo lo tengo yo? Gracias por regalarme otro año de vida a tu lado.
“If it is your birthday, why do I have your present? Thanks for giving me another year next to you.” - Que el nuevo año que empiezas esté tan lleno de alegría y felicidad como te deseo. ¡Que cumplas muchos más!
“I hope this new year can be as full of joy and happiness as I wish you. I hope you have much more!”
2. Best Wishes & Greetings in Spanish for the Holidays
The holiday season is the most exciting time for Spanish people. Why? Because it’s when we all get to share quality time with our families. Although there may be many ways to say Merry Christmas in English, there’s one phrase in Spanish that encapsulates the meaning.
¡Felices fiestas! literally means “Happy holidays” in Spanish, and is the most common way to give best wishes for the holidays in Spanish.
As you may know by now, Spanish-speaking countries are all about parties, which explains the phrase Felices Fiestas.
Feliz Navidad is another way to say “Merry Christmas,” and may be the best translation of it.
You should reply: Igualmente, which means “You too.”
If you want to add more love and affection to your Merry Christmas in Spanish, you should say con mucho cariño, meaning “with all my love.”
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are also part of the holiday season in Spain. Although “happy holidays” in Spanish is Felices Fiestas, Happy New Year in Spanish is expressed in many different ways.
- ¡Feliz año nuevo!
“Happy New Year!” - ¡Feliz año!
“Happy year!”
You can send your best wishes for the holidays in Spanish for the new year by saying something like: Que tengas un próspero año nuevo, or “I hope you have a prosperous new year.”
This message is the best choice if you want to wish a Happy New Year in Spanish on a Christmas card, send a text message, or email it to someone special.
- Feliz próspero año nuevo.
“Happy prosperous new year.” - Que el próximo año esté lleno de bendiciones.
“May next year be full of blessings.” - Año nuevo, vida nueva.
“New year, new life.”
Other important days in Spanish-speaking countries are Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We all want to tell our parents how important they are and how much they mean to us, making it important to know how to wish them a happy Mother’s Day in Spanish (or Father’s Day).
If you have a Spanish partner, it’s possible that you have a mother-in-law or father-in-law who cares about you a lot. This is the perfect chance to show them your love and wish them a Happy Mother’s Day in Spanish.
- ¡Feliz día de la madre!
“Happy Mother’s Day!” - ¡Feliz día del padre!
“Happy Father’s Day” - Gracias por todo lo que has hecho.
“Thanks for all you’ve done for me.” - Estoy agradecido/agradecida por todo tu trabajo.
“I’m thankful for all your work.” - Eres la mejor mamá del mundo.
“You’re the best mom in the world.” - Eres el mejor padre del mundo.
“You’re the best dad in the world.” - Mamá, te amo or Te quiero mamá.
“I love you, mom.”
These are some messages you can send to wish a Happy Mother’s Day in Spanish on their social media, in a postcard, or in person.
3. Spanish Congratulations: Weddings & Engagements
A wedding is a special day that most people want to share with their family and friends with a big party. Perhaps this year you’re lucky enough to be invited to one in a Spanish-speaking country!
Perfect! Learn how to express all your best wishes in Spanish here.
What do you write in a Spanish wedding card? How can you express your happiness for the couple? Whether you want to congratulate the married couple, have received an invitation to a wedding, want to add a message to your gift card, or just want to leave your best wishes in Spanish on their wedding book, these are useful phrases you can use.
If you’re lucky, you may get to give a public speech on this special day. Surprise your audience with your Spanish skills. Here’s how:
- Espero que seáis muy felices.
“I wish you both happiness.” - ¡Felicidades por esta nueva etapa!
“Congratulations on your new life together!” - ¡Felicidades a los futuros esposos!
“Congratulations to the future spouses!” - ¡Felicidades a los novios!
“Congratulations to the bride and the groom!”
If the couple has been married for a very long time and you want to congratulate them for all the time they‘ve been together, this is how:
- ¡Felicidades por sus bodas de plata!
“Congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary.” - Felicidades por sus bodas de oro.
“Congratulations on your golden wedding anniversary.” - Felicidades por sus bodas de diamante.
“Congratulations on your diamond wedding anniversary.”
4. Spanish Congratulations: Pregnancy, Baby Shower, and New Baby
New life! A new member of the family has arrived, and you want to take the time to congratulate the new parents. Here are some Spanish greetings and well-wishes for important occasions like these.
- ¡Felicidades por el nuevo integrante de la familia!
“Congratulations on the new arrival in your family.” - ¡Felicidades por el nacimiento de su niño/niña!
“Congratulations on the arrival of your boy/girl.” - Nos alegra mucho saber que ya ha nacido.
“We are so happy to hear he/she has already been born.” - Enhorabuena.
“Congratulations.”
5. Congratulations in Spanish for Graduations
We all want to share with others what we accomplish in life. Tell the new graduates how happy you are for their academic accomplishment in Spanish. And why not surprise them with your Spanish skills while you’re at it!
- ¡Felicidades por tu graduación!
“Congratulations on your graduation.” - ¡Buen trabajo!
“Well done.” or “Good job.” - ¡Felicidades por tus buenas calificaciones!
“Congratulations on your good grades.” - ¡Felicidades por tu master!
“Congratulations on getting your Master’s degree.” - ¡Felicidades por entrar en la universidad!
“Well done on getting into the university.” - ¡Felicidades por pasar el examen!
“Congratulations on passing your exam.”
6. Spanish Congratulations Phrases for Promotions & New Jobs
Did someone just share their success? A new job, moving to a new country, or something else? Celebrate with them by saying something in Spanish. Here’s how:
- ¡Felicidades! or Enhorabuena.
“Congratulations.” - ¡Bien hecho!
“Well done!” - Sabíamos que lo lograrías.
“We knew you would get it.” - Estamos orgullosos de ti.
“We are so proud of you.” - ¡Felicidades por tu nuevo empleo!
“Congratulations on your new job!” - ¡Felicidades por tu ascenso!
“Congratulations on the promotion!” - ¡Mucha suerte en tu nueva etapa!
“Best of luck on your next step.” - ¡Suerte en tu primer día de trabajo!
“Good luck on your first day of work!”
7. Spanish Congratulations Messages for Retirement
Now the fun begins: Your father-in-law or mother-in-law has retired, and you want to share your best wishes in Spanish. They may come to your place more often now, so keep your Spanish skills sharp with these Spanish greetings and well-wishes for important occasions such as this one.
- Enhorabuena, ahora empieza la diversión.
“Congratulations, now the fun begins.” - Mis mejores deseos en la nueva etapa de tu vida.
“Best wishes on your new chapter in life.” - Deseándote a ti y a tu familia lo mejor en la nueva etapa de vida. Que disfrutes del tiempo extra que pasarás con ellos.
“Wishing you and your family the best on your new chapter in your life. I hope you enjoy spending more time with them.”
8. Condolences in Spanish: Death & Funerals
We all want to express our sympathy when someone has lost a loved one. Sometimes it’s hard to express, especially if it’s not in your native language.
Here are some Spanish phrases of condolences to help you:
- Lo siento mucho.
“I am sorry to hear that.” - Estamos con ustedes.
“We are with you.” - Mis condolencias para la familia.
“I offer my condolences to your family.” - Mi más sentido pésame.
“My deepest condolences.” - Que descanse en paz or Descanse en paz.
“Rest in peace.”
9. What to Say About Bad News
What should you say when you receive bad news? We all have difficult moments in life, and words may not always bring a solution. But when we share them with meaning and from the heart, they can go a long ways toward comforting someone.
Here are some phrases that you can use to express your feelings in Spanish when someone is having a bad day!
- Lo siento mucho.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” - Estoy contigo.
“I’m here for you.” - Te envío un beso y un abrazo.
“Sending you all my love.” - Cuenta conmigo.
“You can lean on me.” - Cuidate mucho.
“Take care of yourself.”
10. What to Say When Someone’s Injured or Sick
What if you have a Spanish-speaking friend or colleague who’s sick, and you want to cheer them up?
Wish them a quick recovery, and ask them to get well soon in Spanish:
- Recupérate pronto.
“Wishing you a speedy recovery.” - ¡Que te mejores!
“Get well!” - Alíviate pronto.
“I hope you get well soon.” - Espero que te sientas mejor.
“I hope you feel better soon.”
11. Conclusion
Apart from receiving compliments for those significant life events, we should all learn how to thank them for their kind words in Spanish. We can help you learn more Spanish at SpanishPod101.
- Gracias.
“Thank you.” - Se agradece.
“It’s appreciated.” - Mil gracias.
“Many thanks.” - No sé cómo podría agradecértelo.
“I don’t know how to thank you.” - Estamos muy agradecidos.
“We are very grateful.” - Qué amable de su parte.
“Very kind of you.” - Gracias desde el fondo de mi corazón.
“Thanks from the bottom of my heart.”
“How do you say happy birthday in Spanish?” Well, with this simple list, now you know! Learn more about life event messages in Spanish and much more at SpanishPod101.
Before you go, let us know in the comments if there are any Spanish life events and life event messages you want to know about! We look forward to hearing from you, and will help out the best we can!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year From SpanishPod101.com!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from everyone here at SpanishPod101.com! We’re grateful to have listeners just like you, and we’re eagerly waiting for the upcoming year to learn Spanish together!
And when the New Year comes around, be sure to make a resolution to study Spanish with SpanishPod101.com!
Have a healthy and happy holiday season.
From the SpanishPod101.com Team!
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