Leveraging English to Learn Spanish

By Marta Prieto

Reading time: 0 minute

October 28, 2024

Contents

Introduction

How English and Spanish Are Connected

What Are Spanish-English Cognates?

Categories of Spanish-English Cognates

False Cognates or “False Friends”

How to Use Cognates to Learn Spanish Faster

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Why Cognates Make Learning Spanish Easier

The Benefits of Language Similarities

Practical Tips for Mastering Spanish Using Cognates

Conclusion

Introduction

You don't have to start from scratch to learn Spanish. English and Spanish share many similarities. There are thousands of cognates—words that look and mean the same in both languages. This helps English speakers learn Spanish more easily.

In this blog, we will explore how to use English to learn Spanish by leveraging these similarities. We'll talk about Spanish cognates. We'll cover how to make a list of them. Plus, we'll explore creative learning hacks to accelerate your Spanish progress to boost your vocabulary.

When you learn Spanish through English, you can use many similar words. These words are called cognates. By focusing on Spanish cognates, you can learn vocabulary faster.

You won't need to memorize every word from the start. Many words share a common origin. This gives you built-in clues to help you remember them.

How English and Spanish Are Connected

English and Spanish share a long history, leading to many similarities. Both languages have been shaped by Latin and Greek. Because of this, you'll find thousands of cognates that are easy to spot.

For example, words like “animal” and “natural” are very similar in spelling and sound. This connection helps anyone learning Spanish with English as a guide.

Learning Spanish through English goes beyond just recognizing similar words. It involves understanding that these words are part of a broader system of language links. For instance, when you see “information” in English, you can quickly find “información” in Spanish.

This helps you build a strong base of cognates. A useful tip is to create a list of Spanish cognates. Write down every word you recognize and note its similarity in both languages. Over time, this list will grow and become a valuable study tool.

What Are Spanish-English Cognates?

Cognates are words in two languages that come from the same origin. They often look and mean the same. In Spanish, these are called Spanish cognates. Finding these words is like discovering a shortcut in your language studies.

Cognates help you learn Spanish vocabulary faster by using your knowledge of English. This method works well, especially for beginners.

Categories of Spanish-English Cognates

Not all cognates are exactly the same. They can be grouped into different categories, which helps you know what to expect when you encounter them.

Cognates with the Same Spelling and Meaning

These are the easiest to recognize. They are identical in both English and Spanish. Examples include:

Hospital – Hospital
Festival – Festival
Real – Real

Using these words is simple. When you see them, say them out loud and listen to their pronunciation. They are a solid starting point for building your Spanish vocabulary.

Cognates with Small Spelling Differences

Some cognates are very similar but have slight changes in their spelling. For example:

Attention (English) – Atención (Spanish)
Information (English) – Información (Spanish)
Possible (English) – Posible (Spanish)

These differences often occur because of common endings. In many cases, the Spanish ending “-ción” is the equivalent of the English “-tion.” Learning these patterns can help you quickly expand your knowledge of Spanish words similar to English.

False Cognates or “False Friends”

False cognates are words that look similar but have different meanings. These can be confusing if you are not careful. For example:

Embarazada in Spanish means “pregnant” and not “embarrassed.”
Ropa means “clothing” and not “rope.”
Sensible in Spanish means “sensitive” rather than “sensible” as it is used in English.

It is important to learn these exceptions so you do not make mistakes in your conversation. Always check the meaning of a word before assuming it is a true cognate.

How to Use Cognates to Learn Spanish Faster

Using cognates is a powerful way to improve your Spanish vocabulary. Here are some practical techniques that use English to learn Spanish.

Build a Spanish Cognate Words List

One great way to use cognates is by making a list of words you find in both languages. Start with words you already know and add new ones as you find them. Reviewing this list often helps reinforce your learning.

Group your words into categories like food, family, work, and emotions. This makes it easier to remember them and see connections between words in different contexts.

Read Spanish Texts with Cognate Recognition

When reading Spanish texts, look for familiar words. Underline or highlight these cognates to see how many you know. This helps make reading less scary and more fun.

Try simple news articles or short stories in Spanish. Guess the meaning of words before checking their definitions. This practice boosts your skill in using language similarities.

Listen to Spanish Audio and Identify Cognates

Listening to Spanish podcasts, songs, or news is a great way to learn. While you listen, jot down words that sound familiar. You may spot words from your Spanish cognate list.

This technique boosts your listening skills and expands your Spanish vocabulary. It also shows how native speakers use these words in daily conversation.

Use Cognates in Speaking and Writing

Practicing speaking and writing is crucial. Use cognates in your Spanish sentences. Write short paragraphs or journal entries with as many cognates as you can.

This helps strengthen your vocabulary and builds confidence. Speaking out loud lets you see the similarities between Spanish and English more clearly.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

While cognates are a helpful tool, there are a few common mistakes you should be aware of.

Assuming every similar word is a cognate can lead to mistakes. Not all words that look alike in English and Spanish mean the same thing. Always check the meaning of a new word before using it.
Relying only on cognates may limit your learning. Although using English to learn Spanish is a good start, you should also learn new words that do not have a direct translation. This will help you build a richer Spanish vocabulary.
Ignoring pronunciation differences is another common error. Even if a word looks similar, its pronunciation might be different. Listening carefully to native speakers can help you get the sounds right.

Why Cognates Make Learning Spanish Easier

Cognates give you a head start in your Spanish studies. By recognizing the many Spanish words similar to English, you quickly build a solid base of vocabulary. This makes your learning process faster and more fun. With a good understanding of language similarities, you can see patterns in how words are formed and learn new words with ease.

Using cognate vocabulary means you aren't starting from scratch. You have a solid base in both English and Spanish. Many words you know in English also exist in Spanish.

The Benefits of Language Similarities

The relationship between English and Spanish is a great example of related languages working together. When you use English to learn Spanish, you are tapping into a well of language similarities. These similarities make it easier to learn complex concepts and help you understand the logic behind word formation. You also gain confidence as you notice more and more words that look familiar.

Practical Tips for Mastering Spanish Using Cognates

To get the most out of your studies, try these practical tips:

Review Regularly
Practice in Context
Listen and Repeat
Mix It Up
Ask for Help

Conclusion

Learning Spanish through English is a smart way to speed up your process. Focus on Spanish cognates. They show how the two languages are similar.

This helps you grow your vocabulary faster and with less effort. A strong foundation in cognates gives you a head start in understanding Spanish.

Marta Prieto

Management Team

Marta Prieto, Director of Academics at Comligo, combines a strong academic background with entrepreneurial experience. She previously founded and led De La Mano Spanish, a successful Spanish school in Asia. Passionate about language education, Marta prioritizes motivation, communication, and interaction to ensure Comligo’s programs provide engaging and effective Spanish learning experiences.