Question 1

What are the most important Spanish phrases to learn for GCSE?

Accepted Answer

Focus on greetings (hola, buenos días), farewells (adiós, hasta luego), polite expressions (por favor, gracias), and simple questions (¿cómo estás?, ¿qué tal?). These appear in almost every exam task, from role plays to general conversation. Also learn phrases for agreeing (sí, claro) and disagreeing (no, no estoy de acuerdo) to express opinions.

Question 2

How do I use 'buenos días' correctly?

Accepted Answer

'Buenos días' is used as a greeting from morning until around midday (or lunchtime, typically 2pm). After that, switch to 'buenas tardes' (good afternoon) until evening, then 'buenas noches' (good night/evening). Remember, 'buenos días' is only a greeting, not a farewell – for goodbye, use 'adiós' or 'hasta luego'.

Question 3

What's the difference between 'por favor' and 'de nada'?

Accepted Answer

'Por favor' means 'please' and is used when making a request, e.g., 'Un café, por favor' (A coffee, please). 'De nada' means 'you're welcome' and is the response to 'gracias' (thank you). Don't mix them up – if someone says 'gracias', reply with 'de nada', not 'por favor'.

Question 4

How can I remember Spanish phrases for the speaking exam?

Accepted Answer

Practise phrases in context by creating mini-dialogues. For example, role-play ordering food: 'Hola, buenos días. Quiero un bocadillo, por favor. Gracias.' Use flashcards with the phrase on one side and a picture or situation on the other. Also, listen to Spanish songs or watch short videos to hear phrases used naturally – repetition is key.

Question 5

Do I need to use 'usted' in the GCSE exam?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the situation is formal, such as talking to a teacher, a stranger, or in a professional setting like a job interview. In the role play, the examiner might set a formal context, so be ready to switch to 'usted' forms (e.g., '¿Cómo está usted?' instead of '¿Cómo estás?'). Using the wrong register can lose you marks for appropriateness.

Question 6

What does 'hasta luego' mean and when do I use it?

Accepted Answer

'Hasta luego' means 'see you later' and is used when you expect to see the person again soon, but not necessarily immediately. It's less formal than 'adiós' and more common in everyday speech. You can also use 'hasta pronto' (see you soon) or 'hasta mañana' (see you tomorrow) for specific timeframes.

Vocabulary: Short phrases

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Related Topics in EDEXCEL GCSE Spanish

Grammar: Adjectives and adjectival phrases

Grammar: Adverbs and adverbial phrases

Grammar: Derivational morphology

Grammar: Nouns, pronouns and determiners

How to Revise Vocabulary: Short phrases — Edexcel GCSE Spanish

Examiner Tips for Vocabulary: Short phrases

Common Mistakes in Vocabulary: Short phrases

Key Marking Points