AQA · GCSE · 8698
Spanish — Keywords & Key Terms — Definitions Glossary (2026)
AQA GCSE Spanish (8698) — Specification (2026)
Topic-by-topic keywords, key terms and definitions for precise exam language—separate from our revision checklists (topic coverage) and formula sheets (equations).
Keywords & Key Terms — definitions
Examiner-style keywords and definitions organised by syllabus topic. Terms are tagged Essential (start here), Core (typical exam standard), and Advanced for harder distinctions — tick each row when you can recall it. Your progress is saved in this browser for this list.
AQA GCSE Spanish (8698)
AQA GCSE Spanish (8698)
AQA GCSE Spanish (8698) — Specification (2026)
Topics map to AQA GCSE Spanish grammar (verbs, ser/estar, pronouns) plus the three prescribed themes (Identity & culture; Local/national/international/global areas of interest; Current and future study and employment) and the four assessed papers.
Mark schemes: AQA mark schemes reward an accurate range of tenses, correct ser/estar use, varied vocabulary and clear opinion phrases. A touch of subjunctive in higher-tier writing (e.g. cuando + subjunctive for future, ojalá) signals top-band performance.
Active recall: 0 / 22 terms ticked
| Recalled | Topic | Level | Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verb conjugations & tenses | Essential | Present tense (regular) | Used for current/habitual actions: -AR (hablar → hablo), -ER (comer → como), -IR (vivir → vivo) follow standard endings. | |
| Verb conjugations & tenses | Core | Preterite vs imperfect | Preterite = single completed past action (ayer fui); imperfect = description, habit or background past (cuando era pequeño, jugaba); the two often appear together. | |
| Verb conjugations & tenses | Core | Near future | ir + a + infinitive expresses ‘going to’: voy a estudiar, vamos a viajar; high-frequency and a reliable way to add a future tense. | |
| Verb conjugations & tenses | Core | Simple future & conditional | Future: infinitive + -é/-ás/-á/-emos/-éis/-án (hablaré); conditional shares the future stem with imperfect-style endings (hablaría) — used for ‘would’. | |
| Verb conjugations & tenses | Advanced | Present perfect & subjunctive | Present perfect: haber (he/has/ha…) + past participle (he comido); present subjunctive after ojalá, cuando + future, and expressions of doubt or emotion (espero que tengas). | |
| Verb conjugations & tenses | Advanced | Key irregular verbs | ser, estar, tener, hacer, ir, poder, querer, decir, venir, poner — high-frequency irregulars examined across tenses; tener and hacer underpin many idioms. | |
| SER vs ESTAR | Essential | SER — permanent qualities | Used for Description, Occupation, Characteristic, Time, Origin, Relationship (DOCTOR): soy alta, es médico, es las tres, somos de Madrid. | |
| SER vs ESTAR | Essential | ESTAR — temporary states & location | Used for Position, Location, Action (ongoing), Condition, Emotion (PLACE): estoy cansado, está en casa, estamos comiendo. | |
| SER vs ESTAR | Core | Adjectives that change meaning | ser aburrido = boring vs estar aburrido = bored; ser listo = clever vs estar listo = ready — choice of verb shifts meaning, not just register. | |
| SER vs ESTAR | Core | Estar with the gerund | estar + -ando/-iendo forms the present continuous: estoy estudiando = I am studying (right now). | |
| SER vs ESTAR | Advanced | Common exam pitfalls | Use ser for time and origin, estar for location and feelings; remember location of events (the party is at…) takes ser, not estar. | |
| Pronouns, gustar & negatives | Essential | Subject pronouns | yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros/as, vosotros/as, ellos/ellas, ustedes — often dropped because the verb ending shows the subject. | |
| Pronouns, gustar & negatives | Core | Direct, indirect & reflexive pronouns | Direct (me, te, lo/la, nos, os, los/las) replace the object; indirect (me, te, le, nos, os, les) show ‘to/for whom’; reflexive (me, te, se…) for actions on oneself (me ducho). | |
| Pronouns, gustar & negatives | Core | Gustar-type verbs | Built backwards: me gusta + singular noun/infinitive, me gustan + plural noun (me gusta el fútbol, me gustan los libros); same pattern for encantar, interesar, doler. | |
| Pronouns, gustar & negatives | Core | Double negatives | Spanish uses two negatives: no…nunca, no…nada, no…nadie, no…ninguno (no veo nada, no viene nadie); ‘no’ disappears if the negative word starts the sentence. | |
| Pronouns, gustar & negatives | Advanced | Personal ‘a’ | Add ‘a’ before a direct object that is a specific person or pet: veo a mi hermana (not veo mi hermana). | |
| Themes, connectives & the four papers | Essential | Theme 1 — Identity & culture | Me/family/friends/relationships, technology in everyday life, free-time activities, customs and festivals in Spanish-speaking countries. | |
| Themes, connectives & the four papers | Essential | Theme 2 — Local, national, international & global areas of interest | Home/town/neighbourhood/region, social issues, global issues, travel and tourism. | |
| Themes, connectives & the four papers | Core | Theme 3 — Current & future study and employment | My studies, life at school/college, education post-16, jobs/career choices and ambitions. | |
| Themes, connectives & the four papers | Core | High-value connectives | porque, sin embargo, además, por ejemplo, en mi opinión, aunque, por lo tanto — examiners credit varied linkers and clear signposting of opinion. | |
| Themes, connectives & the four papers | Core | Paper 1 (Listening) & Paper 2 (Speaking) | Listening: short and longer extracts; Speaking: role play, photo card discussion and general conversation on the themes. | |
| Themes, connectives & the four papers | Advanced | Paper 3 (Reading) & Paper 4 (Writing) | Reading includes a short ES→EN translation; Writing at Foundation has structured short tasks, at Higher a 90-word task, a 150-word task and an EN→ES translation. |
Pair this with our revision checklists, formula sheets hub and past paper finder.
Spanish (8698) — Keywords & Key Terms FAQ
- What is on this AQA GCSE Spanish keywords and key terms list?
- It is a topic-organised glossary of important spanish terms with short, exam-style definitions aligned to AQA GCSE Spanish (8698) — Specification (2026) (8698). It is designed for “define”, “state”, “outline” and “explain” questions where precise vocabulary earns marks.
- How should I use this Spanish glossary alongside past papers?
- Tick terms when you can recall them without reading the answer, then check your wording against mark schemes. Pair vocabulary practice with past papers for GCSE Spanish (8698) so you apply terms in context.
- Is this the same as a revision checklist or a formula sheet?
- No. Revision checklists help you track which syllabus topics you have covered and your confidence—separate pages on Tutopiya. Formula sheets summarise equations and quantitative relationships. This page is only a definitions and key-terms glossary for Spanish.
- Can I download this Spanish keywords and key terms list for free?
- Yes. After a quick free sign-up you can download a UTF-8 CSV (opens in Excel or Google Sheets) or open a print-friendly page and save as PDF. Browsing the list on the page is free.
- Is this Spanish list aligned to the 8698 specification?
- Topic groupings and wording follow AQA GCSE Spanish (8698) — Specification (2026) for AQA GCSE. Always confirm final learning objectives and any regional options in your official specification and recent examiner reports for your exam session.
- Why focus on definitions instead of full notes?
- Mark schemes reward correct technical terms and clear links between ideas. A compact glossary lets you drill the exact language examiners expect for Spanish at GCSE, separate from longer notes or topic trackers.