Learn Spanish A1 from zero, in English
You don't need to know a single word. From the alphabet and greetings to introducing yourself, shopping, and asking for directions — explained in a language you actually understand.
Try the first unit freeHow long does this level take? 6-8 weeks
What does A1 mean in Spanish?
A1 is the first of the six levels of the CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) and the start of the “basic user” range. In Spanish, an A1 speaker understands and uses familiar everyday expressions and very simple sentences, can introduce themselves and others, and can ask and answer simple questions about where they live, who they know and what they have, as long as the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
In practice, A1 is the level of greetings, introductions, shopping, ordering a coffee and asking for directions. Spanish spelling is close to its sound, so many learners find reading aloud easier than in other languages, and the verb system is the part that needs the most patience.
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A1 vs A2: what actually changes
| Skill | A1 | A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | You use memorized phrases and very short sentences about yourself. | You handle short, routine exchanges and describe your daily life in simple sentences. |
| Listening | You understand slow, clear speech and very familiar words. | You understand the main point of short, clear messages and everyday conversations. |
| Reading | You read names, signs, menus and very short messages. | You read short simple texts such as ads, messages and timetables. |
| Writing | You fill in forms and write a few simple lines about yourself. | You write short notes and messages on everyday topics. |
| Grammar | The present of regular verbs, ser, estar, tener, gender and the article. | The past tense, reflexive verbs, comparatives and object pronouns. |
Who needs Spanish A1?
A1 is the right starting point for several kinds of learners.
Complete beginners
You do not need to know a single word. A1 starts from the sounds and the first greetings.
People planning to live or travel in Spain or Latin America
A1 gets you through the airport, a shop, a pharmacy or a first appointment.
Learners heading toward the DELE A2
Citizenship asks for the DELE A2, and A1 is the first stage of the road there.
Learners with some passive Spanish
If you grew up with Spanish TV in the north of Morocco or know some words, A1 is a fast first level, even though the grammar is a new system.
Exams around A1
There is an official A1 diploma, but most learners treat A1 as a stage toward A2. Always check which exam and which level your file or program names.
DELE A1
An official diploma from the Instituto Cervantes for Spanish at A1. It is pass or fail and does not expire. Most files ask for A2 or higher.
SIELE
A scored test that places you on a scale from A1 to C1. It can confirm an A1 result, and the score is valid for 5 years.
Lerniyo’s A1 mock exam
At the end of the level, a mock exam in the style of these exams covers listening, reading, writing and speaking. It prepares you, but it is not an official certificate.
Lerniyo's exam is built in the style of internationally recognized exams (DELE, SIELE) — it is not an official registration with the Instituto Cervantes or any of its partner institutions. The Lerniyo certificate is a completion certificate for our own curriculum.
What you study in Spanish A1
A1 grammar is small but it has to be solid, because everything later builds on it.
- Ser, estar and tener
- “Soy de Marruecos.” “Estoy en casa.” “Tengo veinticinco años.” Ser for identity and origin, estar for place and state, tener for age and possession.
- Gender and articles
- “El libro, la casa, un amigo, una amiga.” Nouns are masculine or feminine, and adjectives agree.
- The present tense
- “Hablo, comes, vive.” The regular endings of -ar, -er and -ir verbs.
- Gustar
- “Me gusta el café.” “Me gustan los libros.”
- Hay and está
- “Hay una farmacia aquí.” “La farmacia está cerca.”
- Question words
- “¿Dónde?” “¿Cuánto?” “¿Qué?” “¿Cómo te llamas?”
- Numbers, time and dates
- Counting, prices, telling the time and the days of the week.
- Sounds and spelling
- The silent h, the j, the ñ, the rolled r and the five clear vowels.
Mistakes to avoid at A1
- Mixing up ser and estar, for example “Estoy de Marruecos” instead of “Soy de Marruecos”.
- Forgetting gender and agreement: “una casa pequeño” instead of “una casa pequeña”.
- Translating age with “ser”: “Soy 25 años”. Spanish uses “tener”: “Tengo 25 años”.
- Getting gustar backwards: “Yo gusto el café” instead of “Me gusta el café”.
- Skipping the question marks: Spanish opens a question with “¿” and closes it with “?”.
- Not speaking out loud. Spanish is easy to read but must be heard and said to stick.
A realistic study plan for A1
Lerniyo’s A1 track is planned as about 6 to 8 weeks at 15 to 20 minutes a day. That is only an estimate. A simple weekly rhythm:
- 1
Learn the sounds first
Spend the first days on the five vowels and the letters that differ from French or English, such as h, j, ll and rr. Spanish letters are quite regular, so this pays off fast.
- 2
Study 15 to 20 minutes every day
Short daily sessions beat long irregular ones. Review old words before adding new ones.
- 3
Speak from lesson one
Say every phrase out loud and practise the introduction with Nour.
- 4
Learn phrases, not only words
Learn “me llamo”, “quisiera” and “¿dónde está…?” as blocks you can reuse.
- 5
Take the mock exam
At the end of the level, sit the A1 mock exam, then move on to A2.
What you'll be able to do after A1
- Introduce yourself: your name, where you're from, your age
- Handle the airport and the train station
- Shop at the market or a store without trouble
- Ask for directions and understand the answer
- Book an appointment at a doctor's or pharmacy
- Understand simple signs and announcements
What you'll do every day
Vocabulary
Everyday-situation words: the airport, the supermarket, the apartment, the doctor
Grammar
Basic verbs (ser, estar, tener), noun gender, and simple sentence order
Listening
Short dialogues at a beginner-friendly pace
Speaking
Record your voice from lesson one and get instant feedback
Sample sentences you'll learn in A1
Me llamo Amina y soy de Marruecos.
How you introduce yourself: your name + soy de (I'm from) + your country.
¿Dónde está la farmacia, por favor?
¿Dónde? = where — used to ask for a place; está = is (location, with estar).
Quiero un café, por favor.
quiero = I want, simple and polite enough for everyday requests.
El tren sale a las nueve.
el (masculine article) + a las nueve = at nine o'clock.
A first introduction
¡Hola! ¿Cómo te llamas?
Hi! What's your name?
Me llamo Youssef. ¿Y tú?
My name is Youssef. And you?
Me llamo Fátima. ¿De dónde eres?
My name is Fátima. Where are you from?
Soy de Casablanca.
I'm from Casablanca.
What will you learn in Spanish A1?
- Greetings and introductions
- Introducing yourself: name, country, age
- Numbers, time, and dates
- Family
- Food and shopping
- Housing and the apartment
- Transport, the airport, the train station
- The doctor and the pharmacy
- Basic verbs in the present tense: ser, estar, tener
- Noun gender and number agreement
- Simple sentence order
- Definite and indefinite articles: el/la, un/una
- Everyday questions: qué, dónde, cuánto, por qué
Learn Spanish A1 in English with Lerniyo
Most apps explain grammar using confusing jargon or a third language, adding difficulty on top of difficulty. Lerniyo explains everything in plain English, so you focus on Spanish, not on decoding the explanation.
Spanish A1: frequently asked questions
What does A1 mean in Spanish?
A1 is the first CEFR level. You understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very simple sentences, introduce yourself and ask and answer simple questions.
How long does it take to reach A1?
About 6 to 8 weeks at a steady 15 to 20 minutes a day, based on Lerniyo’s estimates.
What is the difference between A1 and A2?
At A1 you use memorized phrases about yourself. At A2 you handle short routine exchanges, talk about the past and describe your daily life.
Is Spanish A1 enough for the DELE A2?
No. The DELE A2 tests the next level. A1 is the first stage of the road there.
Is Spanish easy to pronounce?
Spelling is close to the sound, with five clear vowels, so many learners find pronunciation easier than in French or English. The rolled r and the verbs take practice.
Do I need to know Spanish already?
No. A1 is for complete beginners and starts from the first greetings.
Can I learn Spanish A1 in Arabic or Darija?
Lerniyo explains grammar and vocabulary in your own language, which makes A1 much easier to follow, and Nour gives you speaking practice with feedback.
Does Lerniyo replace the official exam?
No. Lerniyo prepares you with A1-style lessons and mock exams, but it is not an exam center. To get a certificate you must register for an official exam such as the DELE or SIELE.
Keep going
After A1 comes A2
See A2