A0 · 1 · Complete beginner
Your First Spanish Words: Hola and Gracias
Two words are enough to begin using Spanish in real situations. With hola you can greet a neighbour in Madrid, and with gracias you can acknowledge help wherever you go.
Watch Clara explain this
What you'll be able to do
- ✓Greet someone with hola.
- ✓Thank someone with gracias.
- ✓Pronounce both words clearly using the course’s model sounds.
- ✓Use listening, copying and pause-based practice effectively.
- ✓Plan regular speaking and writing practice with support from a personal tutor.
Two words for everyday situations
Hola is an all-purpose greeting that you can use at any time of day. English distinguishes slightly between “hello” and the more casual “hi”, but hola comfortably covers both.
Gracias is the everyday word for thanking someone. It works for both “thank you” and “thanks”.
| Word | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| hola | hello / hi | When you meet or acknowledge someone |
| gracias | thank you / thanks | When someone gives you something, helps you or shows consideration |
Say them clearly
The written h in hola is silent. Begin directly with the vowel sound rather than adding the h sound that starts the English word “hello”.
In gracias, the c sounds like the th at the beginning of “think”. Place the tip of your tongue lightly between your teeth.
Gracias has two syllables, and the first one is stressed, gra. Keep the ending short rather than adding another beat or shifting the stress towards the middle.
Use them in an exchange
When someone greets you with hola, you can answer with the same word. It does not change according to who is speaking or who is being greeted.
Gracias can stand alone after a small act of help, such as receiving your change, having a door held open or getting back something you dropped. The situation makes clear what you are thanking the person for.
How the course teaches
The learning path assumes no previous Spanish. It builds practical conversation, listening and pronunciation first, then develops vocabulary, verbs, grammar, reading and writing towards advanced, nuanced use.
New language appears in a realistic situation with its meaning. Clara explains in plain English, while two model voices and the characters provide the Spanish to copy. Pauses give you time to listen, speak and produce an answer without seeing it first.
The recurring stories follow Lucía, Javi and their neighbours around a block of flats in Lavapiés, Madrid, Bar Molina and the nearby square. Their later journeys provide new situations in other parts of Spain.
Build a realistic study routine
A structured course can provide explanations, accurate models and useful practice, but progress depends on regular study and use. Speaking and writing both need practice beyond online materials, and completing them does not by itself certify a level.
The course is designed to complement work with a personal tutor, and that is how it works best. If you are serious about learning Spanish, you really need a tutor to complement your studies. A tutor can provide live conversation, correction and feedback specific to you.
The words
- hola
- hello / hiUse it at any time of day; the h is silent.
- gracias
- thank you / thanksThe c sounds like the th in “think”, and the stress falls on gra.
More examples: real moments
- Baker
- Hola.Hello.
- Carmen
- Hola.Hi.
- Carmen
- Gracias.Thank you.
- Receptionist
- Hola.Hello.
- Lucía
- Hola.Hello.
- Lucía
- Gracias.Thanks.
Remember
- •Use hola for both “hello” and “hi”, at any time of day.
- •Leave the h in hola silent.
- •Pronounce the c in gracias like the th in “think”.
- •Stress the first part of gracias, gra.
- •Practise speaking and writing regularly, ideally alongside a personal tutor.
Practice
Type or choose your answer; each one is checked as you go.
1. Choose the useful word
Choose the word that fits each situation.
1.You meet a new neighbour. What do you say?
2.Someone holds the lift for you. What do you say?
3.You enter a small shop and greet the assistant. What do you say?
4.The assistant hands you your change. What do you say?
2. Remember the pronunciation
Fill each gap with the missing letter or word.
1.The written in hola is silent.
2.In gracias, the sounds like the th at the beginning of “think”.
3.The stress in gracias falls on the part.
3. Translate the meaning
Translate each English word or phrase into Spanish.
1.Translate into Spanish: Hello.
2.Translate into Spanish: Thanks.
3.Translate into Spanish: Hi.
4.Translate into Spanish: Thank you.
4. Respond without a prompt
Respond to each situation with the one Spanish word you need.
1.Your personal tutor opens the door and greets you. Reply with one Spanish word.
2.A baker hands you your order. Thank them with one Spanish word.
3.Lucía sees you in the square and says hello. Reply with one Spanish word.
4.Javi returns a scarf that you dropped. Thank him with one Spanish word.
Greet and thank someone
Write one line greeting someone with hola and one line thanking someone with gracias. Then say both aloud, keeping the h silent and stressing the first part of gracias.
Clara's new lessons, once a week
That week's new lessons in your inbox, each with its free worksheet. Every lesson page stays free without signing up.
Grammar in this lesson: Spanish pronunciation: the sounds of Spain · Word stress and the written accent
Revised 26 October 2026