Did you realize that the more words you know, the easier it is to be understood? The 64 million dollar question is how to increase the amount of words you know, your Spanish vocabulary. Building vocabulary often concerns Spanish learners, so they try to do a lot of tricks, but to no avail. There would of course be additions to their list, but they often forget them as soon as they learn a new word. What is to do then? Can you increase your vocabulary easily?

The truth is, it can be a difficult thing to do, but there are some shortcuts you can try to help you remember new words. Here are some tips: Go and read some newspapers and magazines in Spanish Pay attention to how the words are used in order to understand their meaning. Resort to a dictionary only when you can’t figure out the meaning of the word by its context. Don’t overdue the dictionary though, as it will interrupt your reading flow. By the way, leave the textbooks on the shelf or in the trash. Newspapers, magazines, and books provide wider windows to everyday Spanish vocabulary and usage.

Tip 2. You must use the words What is the sense of learning a bunch of new words if you do not use them? You can try and make sure you use a new word 3 to 10 times a day. So, try to do the same. Just use them in sentences. Incorporate them in your conversations. Of course you will make mistakes, but if your speaking partner knows you are learning Spanish, they won’t mind. And they would not think you are crazy. Practice, practice, practice…that is how you get to Carnegie Hall and learn new Spanish vocabulary. Otherwise, they will rot in your mind and would soon be forgotten.

3. Converse. Find someone with who you can proctice speaking with. It can be a friend who speakes Spanish, or somebody else that you meet. Never go through the day without using some Spanish Try meeting someone on the internet and correspond with them through email or chat. You can also try building your vocabulary by writing.

4. Avoid being caught up in the I-am-building-my-vocabulary mania and forget the reason you are learning to speak Spanish. The problem is that you fill your brain with stuff you can’t use. Prioritize your vocabulary learning working only with those words which correspond with your reasons for learning in the first place. To explain, if you are learning in order to fill an academic job, learn the vocabulary for that job. If you’re proficient enough, learning other words happens easily.