The letter “A” is the first letter of the Spanish alphabet, and like in English, it’s a vowel. As the first letter, it’s also incredibly common, appearing in countless Spanish words.
So, let’s dive into some Spanish words that start with “A”! This article will go over some of the most common words, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and phrases. We will also cover the pronunciation of the letter “A” in Spanish.
History and pronunciation of “A” in Spanish
Like the English “A,” the Spanish “A” has roots in ancient alphabets and was eventually adopted into the Latin alphabet. Over the centuries, its usage and significance have remained remarkably consistent.
The pronunciation of “A” in Spanish is pretty straightforward. It’s a short, open vowel sound, kind of like the “a” in the English word “father.” There aren’t really any significant regional variations or nuances to worry about, so you can be confident that your “A” will sound right, no matter where you are in the Spanish-speaking world.
Nouns that start with “A”
Spanish is rich with nouns that begin with the letter “A,” covering everything from everyday objects to profound concepts. Here are a few of the most common.
Common nouns
- Agua (water)
- Amor (love)
- Amigo/amiga (friend)
- Año (year)
- Aire (air)
- Arte (art)
- Abeja (bee)
- Abogado/abogada (lawyer)
As you probably know, nouns in Spanish have a gender: masculine or feminine. That’s why you sometimes see two words to describe one thing, like amigo and amiga. Amigo is a male friend, and amiga is a female friend.
One thing that can be confusing for English speakers is that sometimes a noun uses a masculine article (“el”) even when it’s feminine. For example, “water” is a feminine noun (la agua), but you’ll see it written as el agua. That’s because of the way the word sounds.
Abstract nouns
Here are a few abstract nouns that start with “A.”
- Ambición (ambition)
- Angustia (anguish)
- Audacia (audacity)
Verbs Starting with “A”
Spanish has a wealth of verbs beginning with the letter “A.” Here are a few of the most common:
- abrir (to open)
- amar (to love)
- aprender (to learn)
- ayudar (to help)
- andar (to walk)
- avisar (to warn)
For example, here’s the present tense conjugation of “abrir” (to open):
- yo abro (I open)
- tú abres (you open)
- él/ella/usted abre (he/she/you open)
- nosotros/nosotras abrimos (we open)
- vosotros/vosotras abrís (you all open – Spain)
- ellos/ellas/ustedes abren (they/you all open)
Reflexive Verbs
Spanish also uses reflexive verbs, where the action of the verb reflects back on the subject. Here are a couple of examples of reflexive verbs that start with “A”:
- Afeitarse (to shave oneself)
- Acordarse (to remember)
Adjectives Starting with “A”
Spanish adjectives that start with “A” are abundant! Just like in English, adjectives modify nouns, adding detail and description.
Here are a few examples:
- amable (kind)
- alto/alta (tall)
- antiguo/antigua (old, ancient)
- azul (blue)
- aburrido/aburrida (boring)
- afortunado/afortunada (fortunate)
Notice that many Spanish adjectives have masculine and feminine forms. The masculine form typically ends in “-o,” while the feminine form ends in “-a.” This is important for grammatical agreement. Also, remember that in Spanish, adjectives usually come after the noun they modify. For example, “the blue car” would be “el coche azul.”
Adverbs and prepositions starting with “A”
Spanish speakers rely on adverbs and prepositions that start with “a,” too. Here are a few of the most common:
Adverbs
- ahora (now)
- aquí (here)
- así (like this/that)
- aún (still/yet)
- apenas (hardly/scarcely)
Prepositions
- a (to/at). Example: Vamos a la playa este fin de semana. (We are going to the beach this weekend.)
- ante (before/in the presence of). Example: Ante el juez, declaró su inocencia. (Before the judge, he declared his innocence.)
- bajo (under/beneath)
Other Spanish Words Starting with “A”
You’ll also encounter many other important words beginning with “a” as you learn Spanish.
For example, “al” is a contraction of “a + el,” used before masculine nouns. “Algún,” “alguno,” and “alguna” translate to “some” or “any.” “Alguien” means “someone” or “anyone,” and “aunque” is the conjunction “although” or “even though.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Spanish verb that starts with ‘a’?
There are many! One common example is “amar,” which means “to love.” Other examples include “abrir” (to open), “ayudar” (to help), and “aprender” (to learn). Spanish is rich with verbs, and the letter ‘a’ is a popular starting point.
What is a Spanish word that starts with ‘ñ’?
Spanish words beginning with “ñ” are relatively rare. The most common and well-known example is “ñoño,” which can mean “corny,” “sappy,” or “goody-goody,” depending on the context. It’s not a word you’ll use every day, but it’s good to know!
What words start with an ‘a’?
In Spanish, tons of words start with ‘a’! Nouns like “agua” (water), “amigo” (friend), and “amor” (love) are just a few. Adjectives such as “alto” (tall) and “amable” (kind) also begin with ‘a’. The possibilities are pretty endless!
What are 10 Spanish words?
Okay, here are 10 common Spanish words to get you started: 1) hola (hello), 2) gracias (thank you), 3) por favor (please), 4) sí (yes), 5) no (no), 6) casa (house), 7) comida (food), 8) libro (book), 9) perro (dog), and 10) gato (cat). These will definitely come in handy!
Putting It All Together
The letter “A” is a workhorse in Spanish, showing up in everyday conversation and more formal settings. Hopefully, you’ve found this exploration of common Spanish words that begin with “A” to be useful.
To continue building your Spanish vocabulary, you can focus on words that start with other letters or on particular parts of speech. Remember, pronunciation is key, and the letter “A” in Spanish is pronounced like “ah.” Keep practicing, and ¡adelante!