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DELE · DELE A1–A2 Vocabulary · Mexico

DELE A1–A2 Vocabulary for the DELE Exam — Mexican candidates

10% of the DELE test plan. Core Spanish vocabulary for DELE A1 and A2: greetings, numbers, family, food, daily routine, and basic descriptions. Calibrated for Mexican candidates.

Examiners do not award marks for content alone — they award them for the ability to demonstrate competency in the precise format the test demands. DELE A1–A2 Vocabulary sits at roughly 10% of the Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language content distribution — DELE A1 and A2 test survival and basic communication Spanish. The vocabulary required includes personal information, family, daily routine, shopping, transport, and food. These words form the foundation for all higher DELE levels and must be known with correct gender and number agreement. Pass rates for the DELE are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For Mexican candidates preparing for DELE, the calibration of study to local context matters: Spanish is the testing language for domestic exams (Ceneval); English-language proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge) are popular for U.S. and Canadian study tracks.

Pass rates for DELE (Mexico) are published periodically by the awarding body.

Common failure modes

These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.

  • !Gender agreement errors: confusing masculine/feminine for nouns (el/la, un/una)
  • !Not learning vocabulary with its article — gender is part of the word in Spanish
  • !Confusing ser and estar (both mean "to be" but have different uses)

Study tips

  • 1Always learn nouns with their article: "el libro" not just "libro" — gender is part of the word.
  • 2Study ser vs estar thoroughly: ser = permanent/inherent qualities; estar = states, locations, temporary conditions.
  • 3Use the Instituto Cervantes A1–A2 vocabulary guide as your reference list.
  • 4For Mexican candidates testing on DELE, English-Spanish bilingual study materials accelerate vocabulary acquisition; use side-by-side passage translations to build decoding speed.

Sample DELE DELE A1–A2 Vocabulary questions

These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real DELE questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.

  1. 1

    Complete: "Mi hermana _____ médica." (My sister is a doctor.)

    • Aestá
    • BesCorrect
    • Ctiene
    • Dhace
    Why this answer?

    "Es" (from ser) is correct for professions/occupations — these are considered defining characteristics. "Está" (from estar) is used for temporary states and locations. In Spanish, professions are expressed with ser: "Es médica" = "She is a doctor."

  2. 2

    Which phrase means "How old are you?" in Spanish?

    • A¿Cuánto cuestas?
    • B¿Cómo te llamas?
    • C¿Cuántos años tienes?Correct
    • D¿De dónde eres?
    Why this answer?

    "¿Cuántos años tienes?" literally means "How many years do you have?" — this is the standard way to ask about age in Spanish. "¿Cuánto cuestas?" = how much do you cost (inappropriate); "¿Cómo te llamas?" = what is your name; "¿De dónde eres?" = where are you from.

Frequently asked questions

Which DELE level should I start with if I am a complete beginner?
Complete beginners should aim for DELE A1 after approximately 80–120 hours of study. A1 tests basic communication in everyday situations. Most language schools recommend DELE A2 as the first meaningful certification — it demonstrates functional communication ability.
What is the DELE pass rate for Mexican candidates?
Pass rates for DELE candidates in Mexico are published periodically by the awarding body. Practice questions, full-length simulations, and weak-area drills are the highest-impact way to improve your odds.
How long should Mexican candidates study DELE A1–A2 Vocabulary for the DELE?
For most candidates, focused mastery of DELE A1–A2 Vocabulary requires 20–40 hours of deliberate practice — drilling sample questions, reviewing failure modes, and timing yourself against exam conditions. Spanish is the testing language for domestic exams (Ceneval); English-language proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge) are popular for U.S. and Canadian study tracks. Combine DELE A1–A2 Vocabulary study with full-length mock exams in the final two weeks before your test date.

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