Kick-start your language journey with my list of 100 words to learn in a foreign language. Starting to learn a foreign language might seem intimidating or challenging. Many of us have the motivation but don’t know where to start.
I’ve already learned 3 foreign languages (English, German, and Spanish) and keep learning more with my method. This list of 100 words is one of my first steps.
So, in this article, I’ll give you 100 words and a full guide on approaching language learning as a beginner.
Ready? Let’s get started!
List Of 100 Words & Phrases To Learn In A Foreign Language
I’ve created a nice word sheet for you where you’ll have all the essential 100 words to learn. You can download it below for free and get started.
I’ve also written down all the 100 words and phrases below in this article so you can follow through. Check them out and download the printable list above for a better overview.
β Basic Words
1.Hello
2. Good morning
3. Good afternoon
4. Good evening
5. Thank you
6. Please
7. Yes
8. No
β Basic Phrases
9. How are you?
10. I am fine, thanks.
11. Whatβs your name?
12. My name is …
13. Where are you from?
14. I am from β¦
15. I am sorry!
16. Excuse me?
β Language Phrases
17. What languages do you speak?
18. I speak β¦ (fluently).
19. I speak a few words of β¦
20. I am fluent in β¦
21. Can you speak slowly please?
22. I am sorry, I didnβt understand you very well.
23. Can you please repeat it?
β Making Plans
24. Whatβs your favorite hobby?
25. My favorite hobby is β¦
26. What are you going to do tomorrow?
27. I am going to/I will …
28. I want to β¦
29. I donβt want to β¦
30. Would you mind if I β¦ ?
31. What do you think (about it)?
32. Letβs (go somewhere) …
β Meals & Asking For Something
33. Can I have β¦. please?
34. I am hungry
35. I am thirsty
36. I likeβ¦ / I don’t like …
37. Breakfast
38. Lunch
39. Dinner
β Family Phrases
40. Do you have any siblings?
41. I have one brother/sister.
42. My dad is β¦ (very smart)
β Words & Phrases Expessing Time
43. Today
44. Tomorrow
45. Yesterday
46. Week
47. Day
48. Every day
49. Time
50. Whatβs the time?
51. I have to be in a meeting at β¦
+ add weekdays and months of a year
β Weather & Temperatures
52. Whatβs the weather like tomorrow?
53. I am cold.
54. I am hot/warm.
55. Itβs cold/hot outside/inside.
β Work-Related Words
56. I have to see my boss tomorrow.
57. Salary
58. Pay check
59. Bill
60. Can I have the bill please?
61. Work
62. Job
63. I have to commute to work every day.
64. I work as β¦.
65. My dream job is β¦
β Invitations
66. Can I invite you for dinner tomorrow?
67. Would you like to come with me?
68. I will prepare lunch for us.
69. I organize a (pizza) party.
70. Would you like to come?
71. I am sorry I canβt come tomorrow.
72. I am busy.
73. Thanks for your invitation.
74. What can I do for you?
β Travel Phrases
75. Bus
76. Train
77. Car
78. Can I have a ticket to New York, please?
79. What time does the train leave?
80. How much does the ticket cost? How much is it?
81. How long is the train/bus ride?
82. Do I have to book a seat?
83. Do I have to pay extra?
84. What is the luggage allowance for the flight?
85. Departure
86. Arrival
87. Flight
88. Platform
89. Security
90. Go through security check.
91. Customs
92. Go through customs.
93. Check in your luggage.
94. Board a plane.
95. Boarding
96. Is mask compulsory here?
β Well-Being & Health
97. I feel sick.
98. I donβt feel well.
99. I have to see a doctor.
100. I will stay in bed today.
How To Memorize 100 Words: My 7 Effective Tips
In the next section, I’ll give you some tips and tricks on how to learn these 100 words in a fun way. Once you learn them, I’ll explain how you can continue learning your foreign language from the beginner to the intermediate level.
I don’t recommend just memorizing these words by heart without any method. So, here is a quick list of tips for how you can learn the first 100 in your foreign language:
- Create flashcards with words & images
- Make vocabulary walls
- Play pexeso
- Play scrabble
- Record yourself saying the words out loud
- Talk to yourself
- Create vocabulary lists
β Language Resources For Your Learning β
Here are some of my favorite language-learning resources I use to learn foreign languages:
Practice speaking on iTALKI Listen to a podcast on COFFEE BREAK LANGUAGES Read 101 CONVERSATIONS IN SIMPLE ‘LANGUAGE‘ Get my LANGUAGE TRAVEL NOTEBOOK to keep track of new words Watch TV Series & Movies on LINGOPIE. |
1. Create Flashcards With Words & Images
Cut 200 rather smaller pieces of paper; I suggest cutting smaller pieces because you can take and carry the flashcards anytime with you.
Once you cut these pieces (blank flashcards), separate them into two halves. Write all the 100 words you want to learn in the first half. Write one word per flashcard. In the second half, draw or glue some images you can associate with each word.
From my own experience, you learn new vocabulary faster when you associate the words with images. If you picture an image, you’ll think about the word faster. That’s why I highly recommend you have flashcards with words and images.
How To Learn 100 Words Using Flashcards
Once you have the flashcards, it’s time to play with them. You can mix them up and try to find a pair of flashcards, one with a word and one with a suitable image.
Or, mix them all up and leave them upside-down. Take the first flashcards and put them on a table. Then, take the second flashcard and put it on the table again. Repeat the same process over and over again. Put it right next to it whenever you find an image or a word that matches another flashcard.
2. Make Vocabulary Walls
Cut 100 pieces of paper. Write one word from our list into each piece. You can also use colored paper. Once you have all the words, put them on a wall in your bedroom, living room, or kitchen. It has to be a space where you spend most of your day.
PRO TIP: I recommend you get color paper (10 different colors). Use one color for 10 words. It’ll help you differentiate the words and organize them on the wall. You can then learn 10 words per day.
Each day, put these 10 words onto your wall and try to remember them. The next day, choose the second 10 words in a different color and put them again onto the wall to learn them. Repeat the process daily until you have all 100 words on your wall.
3. Play Pexeso
Playing pexeso is so much fun. And the best part is that you might not even realize you’re learning a foreign language.
Take the flashcards you’ve created in the first step (words and image flashcards), and simply play pexeso with them. Mix them all up and try to find a match with one word and one image flashcard. You can either play with a friend or partner or on your own.
4. Play Scrabble
Another fun activity is playing Scrabble. But not the one you’ve maybe bought from a shop. You can make your own scrabble.
As with the flashcards, cut pieces of paper. But this time, you won’t write words into each. Instead, you’ll only write a letter to each piece. Write each letter from the alphabet 3 times.
Once you have all letters, start playing. First, you’ll have to find suitable letters to put together and create one word. Either start with the first words from our list or create any words from the list that come to your mind.
5. Record Yourself Saying The Words Out Loud
This is a perfect pronunciation practice. Write each word in Google Translate and listen to its pronunciation. Then, repeat it in the foreign language several times. Once you feel confident, start recording yourself.
You can either use a recorder or simply use your phone. Speak each word out loud while recording it. You can do only the first 20 or 30 words. Once you’re done, stop the recording and play it.
This way, you can listen to yourself whether you pronounce the words correctly. And you’re also memorizing the words.
6. Talk To Yourself
Talking to yourself is one of the best methods to learn a language on your own. I do it all the time, and it works perfectly. When I go to a supermarket or for a walk, I start talking to myself in a foreign language. It can be any topic. I either talk to myself about things I see during the walk or just say what I’m doing or what I’ve gone through for the past week.
We are at the beginning of our language learning. So, just make it easier. Whenever you see or think about a word on our list, say it in a foreign language.
7. Create Language Vocabulary Lists
You can also use the vocabulary sheets I’ve designed for you. You can keep track of each word you’re learning in a day.
Follow the so-called Goldlist method, where you write down all the words you want to remember. Come back to the words after 14 days, and you’ll see that you remember at least 30%.
After, rewrite the words you didn’t remember into a new vocabulary sheet and keep learning.
Steps To Take After You Learn 100 Words & Phrases In A Foreign Language
Congratulations if you’ve learned your 100 words in a foreign language. That’s amazing. Now, I don’t want to leave you alone, figuring out what to do next.
Here are a few tips to implement into your language learning process:
π Learn topic-specific vocabulary
π Incorporate more resources & practice all 4 language skills
π Learn Topic-Specific Vocabulary
I recommend choosing situations (topics) where you would like to speak a language. Let’s say you learn a language for travel.
So you can think of all the situations you’ll be in contact with the language while traveling (at the airport, ordering food in a restaurant, at the hotel, doing activities, meeting new friends).
Then, write down all the words you need in that specific situation. Learn the necessary vocabulary within the topic and try to create sentences and dialogues to practice speaking later.
π Incorporate More Resources & Practice All 4 Language Skills
Learning a language is most effective if you practice all 4 language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
So incorporate more fun resources into your process like reading books and foreign language magazines, listening to podcasts, watching TV shows and movies, writing new dialogues, and speaking with a friend or a tutor.
FAQs
I also answered some of the frequently asked questions about language learning, so check my answers below:
How Many Words Do You Need To Speak A Foreign Language?
About 1000 words are enough to speak a foreign language on a basic level. With 1000 words, you can communicate in everyday situations and use the language in the most important situations.
Is 100 Words Enough To Speak A Language?
No, 100 words isn’t enough to speak a language. But it’ll give you a great base to communicate in a few situations and help you start learning the language.
What Are The Best Words To Learn First In A Language?
Weekdays, calendar months, numbers, food, basic prepositions, greetings, and words in a basic conversation when introducing yourself to someone, directions, travel, and basic verbs.
WRAP-UP: 100 Words To Learn In A Foreign Language
These are the 100 words and phrases in a foreign language. Follow my tips for learning them in a fun and effective way. Remember to choose resources that you like and make it fun. Make language learning part of your daily life. Don’t force yourself.
If you have any questions about language learning or need help, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com.
Happy Learning!
More Language Learning Tips
Looking for more language learning tips? Check out my related articles:
How To Learn A Language For Travel: Full Guide
7 Benefits Of Learning A Foreign Language For Travel
How To Learn A Language By Yourself: My Proven Language Learning Tips
How To Set Achievable Language Learning Goals: 9-Step Guide
How To Learn Vocabulary Fast: 17 Practical Tips
How To Overcome Fear Of Speaking A Foreign Language: 9 Proven Tips
What Is The Most Important Skill Of Language Learning? Revealed!
What Is The Best Language To Learn To Travel Europe? Revealed!
About the author: Nicoletta is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.
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