Helping Spanish Speakers Build English Vocabulary
By Matthew Gollub ©2007
Spanish speakers are in the position to quickly and easily attain English
vocabulary. At least 40% of English words share Latin cognates. Below are
sophisticated English words closely related to common Spanish expressions.
Try introducing one or two a day. You’ll not only boost your students’ vocabulary;
you’ll train them to look for “handles” on words based on what they already know!
English word (in the sense of)
Spanish
abundant
accompany (go with)
agitate (v. to shake up)
aggregate (n. sum or total)
aggregate (v. to add or total up)
bilingual
blouse
cathedral
cause
chauffeur (driver)
client (customer)
congeal (freeze)
congealed (frozen)
concept
conduct (noun)
conduct oneself
culpable (guilty)
discourse (n. speech)
distinct
durable
(long lasting)
edifice (building)
esteem (respect)
esteemed (respected)
extraordinary
facile
ferocious
florist
gratitude
humble
kilometer
abundante
acompañar
agitar
agregado
agregar
bilingűe
blusa
catedral
causa
chófer
cliente
congelar
congelado
concepto
conducto
conducirse
culpable
discurso
distinto
durable
edificio
estimo
estimado
extraordinario
fácil
feroz
florista
gratitud
humilde
kilómetro
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English word (in the sense of)
Spanish
lament
(regret)
lamentable
lamentably
liberate (oneself)
liberated
master (expert)
mastery
matrimony (marriage)
matrimonial
meter
nocturnal
occupied
occupy (oneself)
occult (to hide or conceal)
occult (adj. not easily understood)
opine (to think, believe)
passport
preoccupy (oneself)
preoccupied (worried)
prohibited
sentiments (feelings)
remedy
respect
sacerdotal (priestly)
sacrament
siren (of the sea)
solo (alone)
sufficient (enough)
succeed (happen)
surpass
temple
testament
tourist
triumph (verb)
triumph (noun)
unique
unite (join together)
valor (courage)
verdant (lush, green)
veritable (true)
lamentar
lamentable
lamentablemente
librarse
librado
maestro (also teacher)
maestría
matrimonio
matrimonial
metro
nocturno
ocupado
ocuparse
ocultar
oculto
opinar
pasaporte
preocuparse
preocupado
prohibido
sentimientos
remedio
respeto
sacerdote (n. priest)
sacramento
sirena (mermaid)
sólo
suficiente
suceder
superar
templo
testamento
turista
triumfar
triunfo
único
unirse
valor
verde
verdadero
Note: for more lists, search the Internet for “English Spanish cognates.”
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