DELE · DELE A1–A2 Vocabulary · Nigeria
DELE A1–A2 Vocabulary for the DELE Exam — Nigerian 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 Nigerian candidates.
Behind every published pass rate is a distribution of which topics caused most of the failures. This is one of those topics. 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 Nigerian candidates preparing for DELE, the calibration of study to local context matters: Nigeria has West Africa's largest exam-prep market. WAEC, JAMB, and NECO are the high-stakes national tests; IELTS and PTE are dominant migration credentials.
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.
- 4In Nigeria, internet stability during DELE computer-based testing varies by centre — booking centres in Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt typically delivers the best test-day experience.
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
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
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
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A1 to C2 — Cervantes-aligned reading, listening, writing, speaking.
Related study guides
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- DELE C1 — Listening Comprehension for DELE (Nigeria)Another DELE topic for Nigerian candidates
- DELE C2 — Writing for DELE (Nigeria)Another DELE topic for Nigerian candidates
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