Cambridge International · International A Level · 9719
Spanish — Keywords & Key Terms — Definitions Glossary (2026)
Cambridge International A Level Spanish (9719)
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.
Cambridge International International A Level Spanish (9719)
Cambridge International International A Level Spanish (9719)
Cambridge International A Level Spanish (9719)
Cambridge 9719 (2026) develops advanced Spanish through Speaking (Paper 1), Reading & Writing with translation (Paper 2), Essay (Paper 3), and Texts & Films analysis (Paper 4) — built on thematic areas covering youth, family, education, media, environment, politics, and Hispanic culture.
Mark schemes: Cambridge A Level rewards accurate use of the subjunctive (after wishes, emotions, doubts, impersonal expressions, and in conditional sentences), complex sentences combining ser/estar and por/para precisely, and a range of cultural references from set works and films. Essay markers want clear thesis development with textual evidence drawn from Spain and Latin America.
Active recall: 0 / 20 terms ticked
| Recalled | Topic | Level | Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verb conjugations | Essential | All GCSE tenses | Presente, pretérito, imperfecto, futuro, condicional, pluscuamperfecto — the AS Level baseline. | |
| Verb conjugations | Core | Present subjunctive | Used after wishes, emotions, doubts, impersonal expressions, cuando + future reference, and negative antecedents. | |
| Verb conjugations | Core | Imperfect subjunctive | si tuviera + conditional — second-conditional hypothetical 'if I had ... I would ...'. | |
| Verb conjugations | Advanced | Perfect & pluperfect subjunctive | haya/hubiera + past participle — completed actions in subjunctive contexts; pluperfect pairs with conditional perfect. | |
| Verb conjugations | Advanced | Passive voice | ser + past participle (true passive) vs se passive (se vendieron las casas) — Spanish prefers the latter. | |
| Ser/Estar, Por/Para & verbs of becoming | Essential | Ser vs Estar core | Ser for identity, origin, time, and inherent traits; estar for location, condition, and ongoing states. | |
| Ser/Estar, Por/Para & verbs of becoming | Core | Meaning-changing adjectives | ser aburrido (boring) vs estar aburrido (bored); ser bueno (good person) vs estar bueno (tasty); ser listo (clever) vs estar listo (ready). | |
| Ser/Estar, Por/Para & verbs of becoming | Core | Por vs Para | Por: cause, duration, exchange, agent of passive; Para: destination, recipient, deadline, purpose. | |
| Ser/Estar, Por/Para & verbs of becoming | Core | Verbs of becoming | ponerse (sudden mood), volverse (involuntary change), hacerse (effortful change), llegar a ser (gradual achievement), convertirse en (transformation). | |
| Ser/Estar, Por/Para & verbs of becoming | Advanced | Gerund continuous tenses | estar + gerundio for ongoing action; also seguir/continuar + gerundio for persistence. | |
| Themes & cultural context | Essential | Cambridge themes | Youth concerns, family & society, education & employment, technology & media, environment, politics, history & culture. | |
| Themes & cultural context | Core | Set works & films | Awareness of prescribed novels and films — used as evidence in Paper 4 essays. | |
| Themes & cultural context | Core | Hispanic cultural range | Spain and Latin America — reference García Márquez, Almodóvar, Allende and regional sociopolitical issues. | |
| Themes & cultural context | Core | Sociopolitical vocabulary | desigualdad, inmigración, sostenibilidad, memoria histórica — debate-ready terms. | |
| Themes & cultural context | Advanced | Literary analysis | Narrador, simbolismo, recursos estilísticos — describe authorial choices using genre vocabulary. | |
| Exam technique | Essential | Paper 1 Speaking | Topic presentation followed by discussion — examiners reward idiom, ser/estar precision, and subjunctive use. | |
| Exam technique | Core | Paper 2 Reading & Writing | Comprehension, summary, and translation into Spanish — accent and gender accuracy matter. | |
| Exam technique | Core | Paper 3 Essay | Discursive essay on a thematic question — plan thesis, two perspectives, justified conclusion. | |
| Exam technique | Core | Paper 4 Texts & Films | Analytical essay on prescribed works — use textual evidence, avoid plot retelling. | |
| Exam technique | Advanced | Translation strategy | Render sense not word-for-word — choose por vs para and ser vs estar by context, not by English equivalent. |
Pair this with our revision checklists, formula sheets hub and past paper finder.
Spanish (9719) — Keywords & Key Terms FAQ
- What is on this Cambridge International A Level Spanish keywords and key terms list?
- It is a topic-organised glossary of important spanish terms with short, exam-style definitions aligned to Cambridge International A Level Spanish (9719) (9719). 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 A Level Spanish (9719) 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 9719 specification?
- Topic groupings and wording follow Cambridge International A Level Spanish (9719) for Cambridge International A Level. 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 A Level, separate from longer notes or topic trackers.