500 Common English Words Used in Daily Life (With Meanings and Sentences)
Yurii Rebryk · Updated September 24, 2026 · 28 min read
Here are 500 common English words used in daily life, sorted into 20 situations from the morning alarm to weekend plans, 25 words each. Every word comes with its part of speech, a short meaning and a spoken example sentence, so the tables work as a study list on a phone. The words were chosen for speaking and checked against the Oxford 3000; four practice blocks put them back into conversation.
In this article
- How the 500 words were chosen (and what this list is not)
- 1. Words for the morning routine
- 2. Words for getting around: commute and transport
- 3. Words for work meetings
- 4. Words for work email and chat
- 5. Words for lunch, food and eating out
- 6. Words for cooking at home
- 7. Words for shopping and paying
- 8. Words for home and housework
- 9. Words for health and the doctor
- 10. Words for money and banking
- 11. Words for your phone and the internet
- 12. Words for weather and seasons
- 13. Words for time, dates and plans
- 14. Words for directions and places
- 15. Words for feelings and opinions
- 16. Words for people and family
- 17. Words for clothes and appearance
- 18. Words for travel and hotels
- 19. Words for problems, complaints and apologies
- 20. Words for small talk and social life
- How to learn 500 words in 20 to 50 days
- How many words you need for daily conversation: 500 is a start, 3,000 word families is the working size
How the 500 words were chosen (and what this list is not)
Each situation has 25 content words: nouns, verbs, adjectives and a few fixed phrases (in stock, half past, excuse me) that a learner at A1 to B1 needs to say, not only to recognize. The candidates came from the situations themselves; every headword was then checked against the Oxford 3000 and 5000, which Oxford selects by frequency in the Oxford English Corpus and by relevance to learners, with a CEFR level on every word. 344 of the 500 headwords are in the Oxford 3000, 34 more are in the Oxford 5000, and the remaining 122 are multi-word items (wake up, rush hour, boarding pass) or single words the list does not carry (kettle, garlic, pharmacy, sunny, jet lag). They stay because the situation is hard to handle without them.
The list is kept short on purpose. The New General Service List (Browne, Culligan and Phillips, 2013) holds 2,809 words and its authors put its coverage at about 92% of general English; the page below is one sixth of that size and covers 20 situations. Use it as the first pass, then move to a full list.
Three things this page is not:
- Not the 500 most frequent words in English. By frequency, the top of English is function words: the, be, to, of, and, a, in, that, according to the Oxford English Corpus ranking. You already use them in every sentence, and a table of them teaches nothing you can say.
- Not an exam list. There are no academic or IELTS words here. For tested vocabulary, filter the Oxford 3000 by CEFR level.
- Not a phrase book. The example sentences show the word in a natural spoken pattern; they are models to copy the shape of, not scripts to memorize.
How to use the tables: read the meaning, say the example sentence out loud, then say one sentence of your own with the word. After every five situations there is a practice block (a dialogue or a short text) that reuses 15 to 20 words from the sets just covered. The practice blocks are A2; if they feel hard, start with the beginner conversation guide and come back.
1. Words for the morning routine
Verbs first: wake up, get up, get dressed and leave are the four you say most; the objects (kettle, towel, keys) fill in the rest.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| wake up | phrasal verb | stop sleeping | I wake up at six on weekdays. |
| alarm | noun | a clock sound that wakes you | My alarm didn’t go off this morning. |
| get up | phrasal verb | leave your bed | I got up late and missed the bus. |
| shower | noun | washing under running water | I take a quick shower before work. |
| brush | verb | clean with a brush | Brush your teeth before you leave. |
| toothpaste | noun | paste for cleaning teeth | We’re out of toothpaste again. |
| towel | noun | cloth for drying yourself | Can you pass me a clean towel? |
| get dressed | phrase | put your clothes on | Get dressed, we’re leaving in ten minutes. |
| breakfast | noun | the first meal of the day | I usually skip breakfast on busy days. |
| coffee | noun | a hot drink made from roasted beans | Do you want coffee or tea? |
| kettle | noun | a pot for boiling water | Put the kettle on, please. |
| toast | noun | bread heated until brown | I had toast with butter this morning. |
| cereal | noun | grain food eaten with milk | The kids want cereal for breakfast. |
| mirror | noun | glass that shows your reflection | Check the mirror; you have toothpaste on your chin. |
| comb | verb | tidy hair with a comb | Comb your hair before the call. |
| keys | noun | metal pieces that open locks | Where did I leave my keys? |
| wallet | noun | small case for money and cards | My wallet is in my jacket pocket. |
| bag | noun | container you carry things in | Is your laptop in your bag? |
| hurry | verb | move or act quickly | Hurry, or we’ll be late again. |
| late | adjective | after the expected time | Sorry I’m late; the train was slow. |
| early | adjective | before the usual time | I got in early to finish the report. |
| routine | noun | things you do the same way daily | My morning routine takes about forty minutes. |
| snooze | verb | delay the alarm and sleep more | I hit snooze three times today. |
| lock | verb | close with a key | Did you lock the front door? |
| leave | verb | go away from a place | I leave the house at half past seven. |
2. Words for getting around: commute and transport
American English says subway, gas and schedule; British speakers say underground, petrol and timetable. Both are understood.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| commute | noun | the trip between home and work | My commute is about forty minutes each way. |
| bus | noun | large road vehicle for passengers | The bus was packed this morning. |
| train | noun | railway vehicle with carriages | I read on the train to work. |
| subway | noun | underground city train | Take the subway; it’s faster than driving. |
| stop | noun | place where a bus or train halts | Get off at the third stop. |
| station | noun | place where trains stop | Meet me outside the station at nine. |
| platform | noun | area where you wait for a train | The train leaves from platform four. |
| ticket | noun | paper or card that lets you travel | I bought a monthly ticket. |
| fare | noun | the price of a trip | The fare went up again this year. |
| schedule | noun | list of times when things happen | Check the schedule before you go. |
| delay | noun | time spent waiting for something late | There’s a twenty-minute delay on my line. |
| crowded | adjective | full of people | The platform is always crowded at eight. |
| traffic | noun | vehicles moving on a road | Traffic was terrible on the highway. |
| drive | verb | control a car | I drive to work on Fridays. |
| park | verb | leave a vehicle somewhere | Where can I park near the office? |
| gas | noun | fuel for a car | We need gas before the trip. |
| bike | noun | a bicycle | I ride my bike when it’s sunny. |
| walk | verb | move on foot | It’s a ten-minute walk from here. |
| taxi | noun | car you pay to ride in | Let’s grab a taxi; it’s raining. |
| ride | noun | a trip in a vehicle | Can you give me a ride home? |
| seat | noun | a place to sit | Is this seat taken? |
| transfer | verb | change from one vehicle to another | Transfer at Central for the airport line. |
| rush hour | noun | the busiest travel time of day | Avoid the subway during rush hour. |
| route | noun | the way from one place to another | The app found a faster route. |
| arrive | verb | reach a place | What time does your train arrive? |
3. Words for work meetings
Most of these are nouns you hear in every call. The two phrasal verbs, follow up and wrap up, close most meetings.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| meeting | noun | people coming together to discuss | The meeting starts at ten sharp. |
| agenda | noun | list of things to discuss | Can you send the agenda in advance? |
| book | verb | arrange a time or room | I’ll book the small meeting room. |
| deadline | noun | the time when work must be finished | The deadline is Friday at noon. |
| update | noun | new information about something | Quick update: the client approved the design. |
| presentation | noun | a talk that shows information | Her presentation was short and clear. |
| slide | noun | one page of a presentation | Go back to the previous slide, please. |
| project | noun | a planned piece of work | Which project are you on now? |
| task | noun | one piece of work to do | I have three tasks left today. |
| priority | noun | the most important thing to do first | What’s the priority this week? |
| feedback | noun | comments about someone’s work | Thanks for the feedback on my draft. |
| decision | noun | a choice made after thinking | We need a decision by tomorrow. |
| agree | verb | have the same opinion | I agree with Priya on this one. |
| suggest | verb | offer an idea | Can I suggest a different approach? |
| postpone | verb | move to a later time | Let’s postpone the review until Monday. |
| minutes | noun | written record of a meeting | Who’s taking the minutes today? |
| colleague | noun | a person you work with | A colleague from finance joined the call. |
| manager | noun | the person who leads a team | My manager is out until Thursday. |
| team | noun | a group working together | The team meets every Monday morning. |
| report | noun | a document that gives information | I’ll finish the report tonight. |
| budget | noun | the money planned for something | We’re a little over budget this month. |
| goal | noun | something you want to achieve | Our goal is to launch in March. |
| follow up | phrasal verb | check on something later | I’ll follow up with the supplier tomorrow. |
| wrap up | phrasal verb | finish something | Let’s wrap up; we’re out of time. |
| brief | adjective | short in time or words | Keep your update brief, please. |
4. Words for work email and chat
Ten of these words are verbs you do with a message: attach, forward, cc, reply, share, mute. Say them with an object: forward the contract, mute the chat.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| noun | a message sent over the internet | Did you get my email about the invoice? | |
| subject | noun | the title line of an email | Put the order number in the subject. |
| attach | verb | add a file to a message | I forgot to attach the file, sorry. |
| attachment | noun | a file sent with an email | The attachment won’t open on my phone. |
| reply | verb | answer a message | Please reply by the end of the day. |
| forward | verb | send a received message to someone else | Can you forward me the contract? |
| cc | verb | send a copy to another person | CC my manager on that email. |
| draft | noun | an unfinished version of a text | I saved the message as a draft. |
| inbox | noun | where new messages arrive | My inbox is full after the holiday. |
| signature | noun | name and details at the end of an email | Add your phone number to your signature. |
| message | noun | information sent to someone | I left you a message on Slack. |
| chat | noun | short written conversation online | Send it in the team chat. |
| ping | verb | send a quick message | Ping me when you’re free. |
| typo | noun | a small typing mistake | There’s a typo in the second line. |
| link | noun | web address you click | The link in your email doesn’t work. |
| share | verb | give others access to something | Can you share the folder with me? |
| urgent | adjective | needing action right now | It’s not urgent; tomorrow is fine. |
| remind | verb | help someone remember | Remind me to send the invoice. |
| confirm | verb | say that something is correct or fixed | Can you confirm the meeting time? |
| regards | noun | polite closing word in an email | End the email with kind regards. |
| thread | noun | a chain of messages on one topic | The answer is somewhere in that thread. |
| mute | verb | turn off notifications or sound | I mute the group chat after six. |
| notification | noun | an alert about a new message | I get too many notifications a day. |
| out of office | phrase | away from work, with an automatic reply | Set your out of office before you leave. |
| reschedule | verb | move something to a new time | Can we reschedule the call to three? |
5. Words for lunch, food and eating out
The polite forms sit inside the sentences: can we, could we, I’ll have. In American restaurants the bill is also called the check; both words work.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| lunch | noun | the midday meal | What do you want for lunch? |
| menu | noun | list of dishes in a restaurant | Can we see the menu, please? |
| order | verb | ask for food or drink | I’ll order the chicken salad. |
| waiter | noun | person who serves food | The waiter forgot our drinks. |
| table | noun | furniture you eat at | A table for two, please. |
| bill | noun | paper showing what you must pay | Can we have the bill, please? |
| tip | noun | extra money for good service | Leave a tip of about ten percent. |
| takeout | noun | food you take away to eat | Let’s get takeout tonight. |
| delivery | noun | bringing food to your door | Delivery takes about thirty minutes. |
| sandwich | noun | bread with a filling | I grabbed a sandwich at my desk. |
| salad | noun | dish of raw vegetables | The salad comes with dressing on the side. |
| soup | noun | liquid food eaten hot | The soup of the day is tomato. |
| snack | noun | small amount of food between meals | I need a snack before the gym. |
| dessert | noun | sweet food after a meal | Do you want to share a dessert? |
| spicy | adjective | with a hot, strong taste | Is the curry very spicy? |
| vegetarian | adjective | without meat | Do you have any vegetarian options? |
| allergic | adjective | made ill by a certain food | I’m allergic to peanuts. |
| delicious | adjective | tasting very good | This soup is delicious. |
| hungry | adjective | wanting food | I’m hungry; let’s eat early. |
| full | adjective | unable to eat more | No dessert for me, I’m full. |
| drink | noun | a liquid you swallow | What drinks do you have? |
| water | noun | clear liquid you drink | Still or sparkling water? |
| napkin | noun | paper or cloth for wiping your mouth | Could we get some napkins? |
| reservation | noun | a table or room booked in advance | I have a reservation under Daniel. |
| split | verb | divide something between people | Let’s split the bill three ways. |
Practice 1: a late morning and a quick lunch (situations 1 to 5)
A2- Tom
Morning, Maya. You look tired.
- Maya
I am. My alarm didn’t go off, and then I hit snooze twice.
- Tom
So you missed the bus?
- Maya
Yes, and the train had a twenty-minute delay. The platform was so crowded.
- Tom
Did you have breakfast?
- Maya
No time. I’m hungry now. Want to get lunch?
- Tom
Sure. There’s a sandwich place across the street.
- Maya
Good. I’ll order takeout and eat at my desk. I have a deadline at three.
- Tom
Okay. I’ll get a salad and a coffee.
- Maya
Can we split the bill? I only have a card.
Practise this dialogue
Listen to the whole exchange, then take one role: your partner’s lines are read aloud, you say yours into the microphone and see which words came through.
6. Words for cooking at home
Seven cooking verbs (chop, slice, peel, boil, fry, bake, stir) cover almost every step of a recipe; the rest are the tools and the basics.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| recipe | noun | instructions for cooking a dish | I found an easy recipe for pasta. |
| ingredient | noun | one of the foods in a dish | We’re missing one ingredient: garlic. |
| chop | verb | cut into small pieces | Chop the onions while I heat the pan. |
| slice | verb | cut into thin flat pieces | Slice the tomatoes thinly. |
| peel | verb | remove the skin of fruit or vegetables | Peel two potatoes for the soup. |
| boil | verb | heat liquid until it bubbles | Boil the water first, then add the rice. |
| fry | verb | cook in hot oil | Fry the eggs for two minutes. |
| bake | verb | cook in an oven | I’m baking bread this weekend. |
| stir | verb | mix by moving a spoon around | Stir the sauce so it doesn’t stick. |
| pan | noun | metal container for cooking on a stove | Use the big pan for the pasta. |
| pot | noun | deep container for cooking | The pot is too small for all that soup. |
| oven | noun | box you cook food inside | Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. |
| stove | noun | the top part where you cook in pans | Turn the stove down a little. |
| knife | noun | tool with a blade for cutting | This knife needs sharpening. |
| spoon | noun | tool for eating or stirring | Grab a spoon and taste this. |
| plate | noun | flat dish for food | Put the plates on the table, please. |
| bowl | noun | deep round dish | Serve the soup in the big bowls. |
| salt | noun | white mineral added for taste | It needs a little more salt. |
| pepper | noun | spice with a hot taste | Add some black pepper at the end. |
| oil | noun | liquid fat used for cooking | Heat a spoon of oil in the pan. |
| onion | noun | round vegetable with a strong smell | One onion is enough for this dish. |
| garlic | noun | plant with a strong taste, used in cooking | Add the garlic last so it doesn’t burn. |
| rice | noun | small white grains, cooked as food | The rice takes twelve minutes. |
| fridge | noun | cold box for keeping food fresh | There’s leftover curry in the fridge. |
| leftovers | noun | food left after a meal | We can eat the leftovers for lunch. |
7. Words for shopping and paying
In stock, sold out, on sale and try on are the phrases staff say to you; the nouns are what you need in order to ask.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| store | noun | a place that sells things | The store closes at nine. |
| cart | noun | basket on wheels for shopping | Grab a cart; we need a lot today. |
| aisle | noun | passage between shelves | Bread is in aisle three. |
| shelf | noun | flat surface for holding things | The top shelf is empty again. |
| price | noun | the amount something costs | What’s the price of this jacket? |
| cheap | adjective | costing little money | Bananas are cheap this week. |
| expensive | adjective | costing a lot of money | That’s too expensive for me. |
| discount | noun | a lower price than usual | Is there a student discount? |
| sale | noun | a period of lower prices | Shoes are on sale until Sunday. |
| receipt | noun | paper proof that you paid | Keep the receipt in case it doesn’t fit. |
| cash | noun | coins and paper money | Do you take cash or only cards? |
| card | noun | plastic card used to pay | I’ll pay by card. |
| checkout | noun | where you pay in a store | The checkout line is long. |
| cashier | noun | person who takes your payment | The cashier asked for my loyalty card. |
| change | noun | money returned after paying | Keep the change, thanks a lot. |
| refund | noun | money returned for a purchase | I got a full refund for the broken lamp. |
| exchange | verb | swap one item for another | Can I exchange this for a larger size? |
| size | noun | how big something is | Do you have this in a medium size? |
| brand | noun | a company’s name on a product | I don’t care about the brand. |
| try on | phrasal verb | put clothes on to test them | Can I try on these jeans? |
| fitting room | noun | small room for trying on clothes | The fitting rooms are at the back. |
| in stock | phrase | available to buy now | Is the black one in stock? |
| sold out | phrase | none left to buy | Sorry, that model is sold out. |
| bargain | noun | something bought at a low price | Two for one; that’s a bargain. |
| grocery | noun | food and household items you buy | I do the grocery shopping on Saturdays. |
8. Words for home and housework
The chores are verbs (iron, vacuum, sweep, mop, tidy); the rooms and the people you deal with (landlord, neighbor, plumber) are nouns.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| apartment | noun | a set of rooms in a building | We rent a small apartment downtown. |
| rent | noun | money paid to live somewhere | Rent is due on the first of the month. |
| landlord | noun | person who owns the place you rent | The landlord fixed the heating today. |
| neighbor | noun | person who lives next to you | Our neighbor plays the drums at night. |
| kitchen | noun | room where you cook | The kitchen needs a good clean. |
| bathroom | noun | room with a toilet and shower | The bathroom light is broken. |
| bedroom | noun | room where you sleep | The bedroom gets very hot in summer. |
| living room | noun | main room for sitting and relaxing | Let’s watch it in the living room. |
| couch | noun | long soft seat for several people | The cat sleeps on the couch all day. |
| laundry | noun | clothes that need washing | I do laundry on Sunday mornings. |
| washing machine | noun | machine that cleans clothes | The washing machine is making a strange noise. |
| iron | verb | make clothes smooth with heat | I need to iron a shirt for tomorrow. |
| vacuum | verb | clean floors with a machine that sucks up dust | Can you vacuum the living room? |
| sweep | verb | clean a floor with a brush | I swept the balcony this morning. |
| mop | verb | wash a floor with a wet tool | Mop the kitchen after dinner. |
| dust | noun | fine dry dirt on surfaces | There’s dust on all the shelves. |
| trash | noun | things you throw away | Take the trash out tonight, please. |
| dishes | noun | plates and bowls to wash | Whose turn is it to do the dishes? |
| sink | noun | basin with a tap for washing | The sink is blocked again. |
| tidy | verb | put things in their place | Tidy your desk before the call. |
| mess | noun | a dirty or untidy state | The kids made a mess in the hall. |
| repair | verb | fix something broken | We need to repair the balcony door. |
| plumber | noun | person who fixes pipes and taps | The plumber is coming at two. |
| utilities | noun | water, gas and electricity services | Utilities are included in the rent. |
| chore | noun | a routine job at home | Cleaning the bathroom is my least favorite chore. |
9. Words for health and the doctor
Say symptoms as short sentences: I have a fever, my throat is sore, I have been coughing since Monday. The doctor needs the exact word.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| appointment | noun | a fixed time to see someone | I have a doctor’s appointment at four. |
| doctor | noun | person who treats sick people | The doctor said it’s just a cold. |
| pharmacy | noun | shop that sells medicine | Is there a pharmacy near here? |
| prescription | noun | a doctor’s written order for medicine | You need a prescription for that. |
| medicine | noun | something you take to treat illness | Take the medicine twice a day. |
| pill | noun | small solid piece of medicine | Take one pill after breakfast. |
| painkiller | noun | medicine that stops pain | Do you have a painkiller for a headache? |
| headache | noun | pain in your head | I’ve had a headache since lunch. |
| fever | noun | a body temperature that is too high | She has a fever of thirty-nine. |
| cough | verb | push air out loudly from your throat | I’ve been coughing all night. |
| cold | noun | a mild illness of the nose and throat | I think I’m catching a cold. |
| flu | noun | an illness with fever and aching | Half the office is out with the flu. |
| sore | adjective | painful when touched or used | My throat is sore this morning. |
| symptom | noun | a sign of an illness | What are your symptoms? |
| allergy | noun | a reaction to certain foods or things | Do you have any allergies? |
| injury | noun | damage to your body | It’s a small knee injury, nothing serious. |
| bandage | noun | cloth wrapped around a wound | Put a bandage on that cut. |
| dentist | noun | doctor for your teeth | I hate going to the dentist. |
| checkup | noun | a general medical examination | I’m due for a checkup next month. |
| insurance | noun | payment that covers medical or other costs | Does your insurance cover dental? |
| emergency | noun | a serious, sudden situation | Call an ambulance; it’s an emergency. |
| rest | verb | relax and do nothing | The doctor told me to rest for three days. |
| recover | verb | get well again | It took a week to recover. |
| sick | adjective | ill, not well | I’m calling in sick today. |
| healthy | adjective | in good physical condition | Walking to work keeps me healthy. |
10. Words for money and banking
Borrow and lend confuse most learners: you borrow from someone, you lend to someone. Owe is the state in between.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| bank | noun | place that keeps and lends money | I need to go to the bank at lunch. |
| account | noun | an arrangement to keep money at a bank | I opened a savings account last week. |
| balance | noun | the amount of money in an account | My balance is lower than I thought. |
| deposit | verb | put money into an account | I’ll deposit the check tomorrow. |
| withdraw | verb | take money out of an account | I need to withdraw some cash. |
| ATM | noun | machine that gives out cash | There’s an ATM next to the pharmacy. |
| wire | verb | send money electronically | Can you wire me half the rent? |
| salary | noun | fixed pay for a job | My salary is paid on the 25th. |
| paycheck | noun | the payment you get for work | My paycheck comes in on Friday. |
| income | noun | money you receive regularly | Rent takes a third of my income. |
| expense | noun | money spent on something | Food is my biggest expense. |
| savings | noun | money kept for later | I put ten percent into savings. |
| loan | noun | money borrowed to be paid back | We took out a loan for the car. |
| interest | noun | extra money paid on borrowed or saved money | The interest rate is five percent. |
| debt | noun | money you owe | I want to clear my credit card debt. |
| owe | verb | need to pay someone money | You owe me twenty for the tickets. |
| borrow | verb | take something to return later | Can I borrow fifty until Friday? |
| lend | verb | give something to be returned later | I can lend you the money, no problem. |
| afford | verb | have enough money for something | We can’t afford a new car this year. |
| fee | noun | money paid for a service | The bank charges a monthly fee. |
| tax | noun | money paid to the government | Is that price with or without tax? |
| invoice | noun | a bill for work or goods | Send the invoice by the end of the month. |
| payment | noun | an amount of money paid | The payment went through this morning. |
| PIN | noun | secret number for your card | I forgot my PIN again. |
| statement | noun | a printed record of account activity | Check your statement for the charge. |
Practice 2: shopping for dinner (situations 6 to 10)
A2- Daniel
Do we have everything for the recipe?
- Priya
Let me check the ingredients. We need onions, garlic and rice.
- Daniel
Rice is in aisle three. The onions are over there.
- Priya
What’s the price of the olive oil?
- Daniel
Eight dollars, but there’s a discount with the loyalty card.
- Priya
Great. Do we need salt?
- Daniel
No, there’s plenty at home. Let’s go to the checkout.
- Priya
I’ll pay by card. Can you keep the receipt?
- Daniel
Sure. You paid last time too, so I owe you twenty.
- Priya
Don’t worry about it. Just do the dishes tonight.
Practise this dialogue
Listen to the whole exchange, then take one role: your partner’s lines are read aloud, you say yours into the microphone and see which words came through.
11. Words for your phone and the internet
Touch verbs are specific: tap a button, swipe a screen, scroll a page. Log in, hang up and text are listed as verbs because that is how people say them.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| phone | noun | device for calling and messaging | My phone died halfway through the call. |
| call | verb | speak to someone by phone | Call me when you get there. |
| text | verb | send a written phone message | Text me the address. |
| charger | noun | device that adds power to a battery | Does anyone have a charger? |
| battery | noun | the part that stores power | My battery is at five percent. |
| signal | noun | the strength of a phone connection | There’s no signal in the elevator. |
| wifi | noun | wireless internet connection | What’s the wifi password? |
| password | noun | secret word that lets you log in | I reset my password again. |
| app | noun | a program on a phone | Which app do you use for the bus? |
| download | verb | copy a file from the internet | Download the update before the meeting. |
| install | verb | put software onto a device | Install the app and log in. |
| screen | noun | the flat display on a device | My screen is cracked. |
| scroll | verb | move content up or down on a screen | Scroll down to the bottom of the page. |
| tap | verb | touch a screen lightly | Tap the blue button to pay. |
| swipe | verb | move a finger across a screen | Swipe left to delete the message. |
| search | verb | look for information online | Search for the nearest gas station. |
| browser | noun | a program for viewing websites | Try a different browser. |
| website | noun | a set of pages on the internet | The website is down right now. |
| log in | phrasal verb | enter a system with your details | Log in with your work email. |
| voicemail | noun | a recorded phone message | I left you a voicemail. |
| hang up | phrasal verb | end a phone call | Don’t hang up, I’m almost there. |
| speaker | noun | the part that plays sound out loud | Put it on speaker so we can all hear. |
| headphones | noun | small speakers you wear on your ears | I forgot my headphones at home. |
| data | noun | mobile internet you pay for | I’ve used all my data this month. |
| offline | adjective | not connected to the internet | The map works offline too. |
12. Words for weather and seasons
Weather small talk runs on adjectives ending in -y (sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy, chilly) plus a number in degrees. Fall is American; autumn is British.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| weather | noun | the conditions outside, like rain or sun | What’s the weather like tomorrow? |
| forecast | noun | a prediction of the weather | The forecast says rain all week. |
| sunny | adjective | with a lot of sun | It’s sunny; let’s eat outside. |
| cloudy | adjective | with many clouds | It’s cloudy but still warm. |
| rainy | adjective | with a lot of rain | Rainy days are for reading. |
| windy | adjective | with strong wind | It’s too windy for the umbrella. |
| storm | noun | very bad weather with wind and rain | The storm knocked out the power. |
| thunder | noun | the loud sound during a storm | The thunder woke the baby. |
| snow | noun | soft white frozen water | We got ten centimeters of snow overnight. |
| ice | noun | frozen water | Careful, there’s ice on the steps. |
| fog | noun | thick cloud near the ground | The fog delayed all the morning flights. |
| humid | adjective | with a lot of moisture in the air | August is hot and humid here. |
| degrees | noun | units for measuring temperature | It’s thirty degrees in the shade. |
| freezing | adjective | extremely cold | It’s freezing; wear a hat. |
| mild | adjective | not too hot or cold | The winters are mild on the coast. |
| chilly | adjective | a little cold | It gets chilly after sunset. |
| heatwave | noun | a period of very hot weather | The heatwave should end by Thursday. |
| umbrella | noun | folding cover that keeps rain off | Take an umbrella just in case. |
| sunscreen | noun | cream that protects skin from the sun | Put on sunscreen before the beach. |
| spring | noun | the season after winter | Spring comes late in the mountains. |
| summer | noun | the hottest season | We go to the sea every summer. |
| fall | noun | the season after summer | The leaves turn red in fall. |
| winter | noun | the coldest season | Winter here is long and dark. |
| temperature | noun | how hot or cold something is | The temperature drops at night. |
| shade | noun | a cool area out of the sun | Let’s sit in the shade. |
13. Words for time, dates and plans
Half past, quarter to, o’clock and on time fix a meeting time; busy, free and available are the answers when someone asks for one.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| calendar | noun | a chart of days and months | Put it in my calendar, please. |
| plan | noun | something you intend to do | Do you have plans for the weekend? |
| weekend | noun | Saturday and Sunday | See you after the weekend. |
| weekday | noun | any day from Monday to Friday | The gym is quieter on weekdays. |
| tonight | adverb | this evening or night | Are you free tonight? |
| tomorrow | adverb | the day after today | Let’s talk tomorrow morning. |
| yesterday | adverb | the day before today | I sent it yesterday afternoon. |
| soon | adverb | in a short time from now | I’ll be there soon. |
| later | adverb | at a time after now | Can we do this later? |
| o’clock | adverb | used to say an exact hour | The shop opens at nine o’clock. |
| half past | phrase | thirty minutes after the hour | The meeting is at half past two. |
| quarter | noun | fifteen minutes before or after the hour | It’s a quarter to five. |
| noon | noun | twelve o’clock in the day | Lunch is at noon. |
| midnight | noun | twelve o’clock at night | The bar closes at midnight. |
| on time | phrase | at the planned time | The flight landed on time. |
| in advance | phrase | before something happens | Book the tickets in advance. |
| cancel | verb | decide something will not happen | They canceled the concert. |
| busy | adjective | having a lot to do | I’m busy until three. |
| free | adjective | having no plans | Are you free on Friday? |
| available | adjective | able to be used or met | The dentist is available at ten. |
| last-minute | adjective | done just before the time | It was a last-minute change of plan. |
| weekly | adjective | happening every week | We have a weekly team call. |
| monthly | adjective | happening every month | Rent is a monthly payment. |
| date | noun | a particular day of the month | What’s the date today? |
| moment | noun | a very short period of time | Do you have a moment? |
14. Words for directions and places
Across, next to and opposite are the prepositions that place things; the full set with examples is in the English prepositions guide.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| left | adverb | toward the side opposite right | Turn left at the bank. |
| right | adverb | toward the right side | Go right at the lights. |
| straight | adverb | in one direction without turning | Keep going straight for two blocks. |
| corner | noun | the place where two streets meet | The cafe is on the corner. |
| block | noun | a group of buildings between streets | It’s three blocks from here. |
| across | preposition | on the other side of | The pharmacy is across the street. |
| next to | preposition | beside | It’s next to the post office. |
| opposite | preposition | facing something | The bus stop is opposite the school. |
| crossing | noun | a place to cross the road safely | Use the crossing; the road is busy. |
| traffic light | noun | red, yellow and green lights on a road | Turn at the second traffic light. |
| roundabout | noun | a circular road junction | Take the third exit at the roundabout. |
| bridge | noun | a structure across a river or road | Cross the bridge and turn right. |
| entrance | noun | the way into a place | The entrance is around the back. |
| exit | noun | the way out of a place | The exit is by the elevator. |
| elevator | noun | a machine that lifts people between floors | Take the elevator to the fifth floor. |
| stairs | noun | steps between floors | The stairs are faster than the elevator. |
| floor | noun | a level of a building | We’re on the third floor. |
| downtown | noun | the center of a city | I work downtown, near the old market. |
| neighborhood | noun | an area of a town where people live | It’s a quiet neighborhood. |
| map | noun | a drawing of an area | Let me check the map. |
| lost | adjective | not knowing where you are | I think we’re lost. |
| nearby | adjective | close, not far away | Is there a bank nearby? |
| far | adjective | a long distance away | It’s too far to walk. |
| landmark | noun | a well-known building or place | Use the church as a landmark. |
| post office | noun | a place to send letters and packages | The post office closes at five. |
15. Words for feelings and opinions
The -ed adjectives describe the person (I am bored, she is annoyed); the -ing forms describe the thing (the film is boring). The verbs at the end soften an opinion: I think, I guess, I believe.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| happy | adjective | feeling pleased | I’m happy with the result. |
| sad | adjective | feeling unhappy | She looked sad after the call. |
| tired | adjective | needing rest or sleep | I’m too tired to cook tonight. |
| stressed | adjective | worried and under pressure | Everyone is stressed before the launch. |
| nervous | adjective | worried about something coming | I’m nervous about the interview. |
| excited | adjective | very happy about something coming | The kids are excited about the trip. |
| bored | adjective | not interested | I got bored halfway through the film. |
| annoyed | adjective | a little angry | I’m annoyed that the bus was late again. |
| upset | adjective | unhappy or worried | Don’t be upset; it’s not your fault. |
| relaxed | adjective | calm and not worried | I feel relaxed after a walk. |
| proud | adjective | pleased about something you did | I’m proud of the team. |
| confused | adjective | not understanding | I’m confused; which door is it? |
| surprised | adjective | feeling something unexpected | I was surprised they said yes. |
| disappointed | adjective | sad because something was not as hoped | I’m disappointed with the service. |
| worried | adjective | thinking something bad may happen | I’m worried about the deadline. |
| opinion | noun | what you think about something | In my opinion, the first plan is better. |
| think | verb | have an idea or belief | I think we should wait. |
| believe | verb | feel sure something is true | I believe the store opens at ten. |
| prefer | verb | like one thing more than another | I prefer tea to coffee. |
| mind | verb | be bothered by something | I don’t mind working late tonight. |
| hope | verb | want something to happen | I hope the weather holds. |
| guess | verb | give an answer without being sure | I guess we’ll see on Monday. |
| maybe | adverb | possibly | Maybe we can meet next week. |
| definitely | adverb | without doubt | I’ll definitely be there. |
| honestly | adverb | telling the truth | Honestly, I didn’t like the film. |
Practice 3: meeting downtown (situations 11 to 15)
A2- Omar
Lena? Can you hear me? The signal is bad here.
- Lena
I can hear you. Where are you?
- Omar
I think I’m lost. I’m on a corner, next to a pharmacy.
- Lena
Okay. Go straight for two blocks, then turn left at the traffic light.
- Omar
Left at the traffic light. Is the cafe far?
- Lena
No, it’s opposite the post office. You’ll see it.
- Omar
Great. My battery is at five percent, so if I hang up, that’s why.
- Lena
No problem. It’s getting chilly, so I’ll grab a table inside.
- Omar
Perfect. Honestly, I’m a bit nervous about the meeting later.
- Lena
Don’t worry. We have a moment to go through the slides first.
Practise this dialogue
Listen to the whole exchange, then take one role: your partner’s lines are read aloud, you say yours into the microphone and see which words came through.
16. Words for people and family
Partner, roommate and coworker are neutral and common in the United States; use them when you do not know a person’s status or exact job.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| family | noun | parents, children and relatives | My family lives two hours away. |
| parents | noun | your mother and father | My parents are visiting this weekend. |
| husband | noun | the man someone is married to | My husband cooks on weekends. |
| wife | noun | the woman someone is married to | His wife works at the hospital. |
| partner | noun | the person you live with or are with | My partner and I moved here in May. |
| kids | noun | children, informal | The kids are at school until three. |
| son | noun | a male child | Our son just started school. |
| daughter | noun | a female child | My daughter is learning to swim. |
| brother | noun | a male with the same parents as you | My brother lives in Toronto. |
| sister | noun | a female with the same parents as you | I call my sister every Sunday. |
| grandmother | noun | the mother of your parent | My grandmother turned ninety last week. |
| grandfather | noun | the father of your parent | My grandfather taught me to fish. |
| uncle | noun | the brother of a parent | My uncle drives a truck. |
| aunt | noun | the sister of a parent | We’re staying with my aunt in July. |
| cousin | noun | the child of your aunt or uncle | My cousin is getting married in June. |
| relative | noun | a member of your wider family | We have relatives in Dubai. |
| friend | noun | a person you like and know well | A friend from college is in town. |
| roommate | noun | a person you share a home with | My roommate works nights. |
| boss | noun | the person in charge at work | My boss is pretty easygoing. |
| coworker | noun | a person you work with | A coworker gave me a ride. |
| stranger | noun | a person you do not know | A stranger helped me with the bags. |
| married | adjective | having a husband or wife | Are you married, or single? |
| single | adjective | not married or in a relationship | He’s single and lives alone. |
| baby | noun | a very young child | The baby sleeps most of the day. |
| teenager | noun | a person aged 13 to 19 | My teenager never gets up before noon. |
17. Words for clothes and appearance
Pants, sneakers and sweater are American; British English says trousers, trainers and jumper. Fit, tight and loose are the three words you need in a fitting room.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| shirt | noun | a top with buttons and a collar | I need a clean shirt for the meeting. |
| t-shirt | noun | a soft top with short sleeves | He wore a t-shirt to the interview. |
| jeans | noun | pants made of denim | These jeans are too tight. |
| pants | noun | clothing for the legs | Do these pants come in black? |
| dress | noun | a one-piece garment for women | She bought a dress for the wedding. |
| skirt | noun | a garment that hangs from the waist | The skirt is a bit short for work. |
| jacket | noun | a short coat | Take a jacket; it’s cold tonight. |
| coat | noun | a long outer garment | Hang your coat by the door. |
| sweater | noun | a warm knitted top | I wear a sweater in the office. |
| suit | noun | a matching jacket and pants | He wore a suit to the interview. |
| tie | noun | a strip of cloth worn around the neck | Do I need a tie for this? |
| shoes | noun | things you wear on your feet | These shoes hurt my feet. |
| sneakers | noun | soft sports shoes | I wear sneakers to work now. |
| boots | noun | shoes that cover the ankle | I need boots for the snow. |
| socks | noun | soft coverings for your feet | I can never find matching socks. |
| hat | noun | something you wear on your head | Wear a hat; it’s freezing. |
| scarf | noun | a piece of cloth worn around the neck | I lost my scarf on the bus. |
| gloves | noun | coverings for your hands | My gloves are in my coat pocket. |
| noun | a small bag sewn into clothes | My keys are in my back pocket. | |
| zipper | noun | a fastener with two rows of teeth | The zipper on my bag broke. |
| button | noun | a small round fastener on clothes | A button came off my shirt. |
| fit | verb | be the right size | This jacket fits perfectly. |
| tight | adjective | fitting too closely | The shoes are a little tight. |
| loose | adjective | not fitting closely | The sweater is loose and comfortable. |
| haircut | noun | the act or style of cutting hair | I’m getting a haircut on Saturday. |
18. Words for travel and hotels
Check in and check out work for both flights and hotels; boarding pass, gate and customs belong to the airport only.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| trip | noun | travel to a place and back | How was your trip to Istanbul? |
| flight | noun | a trip by plane | My flight leaves at six in the morning. |
| airport | noun | a place where planes take off and land | We should be at the airport by four. |
| passport | noun | official document for travel abroad | Don’t forget your passport. |
| visa | noun | permission to enter a country | I need a visa for that trip. |
| luggage | noun | bags and suitcases for travel | My luggage didn’t arrive. |
| suitcase | noun | a large bag with a handle for travel | Can I bring one suitcase? |
| backpack | noun | a bag carried on your back | I travel with just a backpack. |
| boarding pass | noun | ticket that lets you get on a plane | Show your boarding pass at the gate. |
| gate | noun | the place where you board a plane | Our gate changed to B12. |
| customs | noun | the checkpoint for goods entering a country | Customs took an hour. |
| hotel | noun | a place where you pay to sleep | The hotel is next to the station. |
| check in | phrasal verb | register on arrival | We can check in after three. |
| check out | phrasal verb | pay and leave a hotel | We need to check out by eleven. |
| reception | noun | the desk where hotel guests arrive | Ask reception for a late checkout. |
| room | noun | a space in a building for staying | Our room is on the fourth floor. |
| key card | noun | a plastic card that opens a hotel door | My key card stopped working. |
| included | adjective | part of the price | Is breakfast included in the price? |
| itinerary | noun | the plan of a trip | Send me the itinerary. |
| sightseeing | noun | visiting famous places | We did some sightseeing in the afternoon. |
| tourist | noun | a person visiting a place for pleasure | The old town is full of tourists. |
| souvenir | noun | something you keep to remember a trip | I bought a souvenir for my mom. |
| currency | noun | the money used in a country | What’s the local currency? |
| jet lag | noun | tiredness after a long flight | The jet lag hit me on day two. |
| abroad | adverb | in or to another country | Have you worked abroad? |
19. Words for problems, complaints and apologies
Complaints in English open softly: there’s a problem with my order, I’d like to make a complaint. Keep the voice level; the politeness is in the wording.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| problem | noun | something that causes difficulty | There’s a problem with my order. |
| issue | noun | a problem or difficulty | I’m having an issue with the app. |
| broken | adjective | not working, damaged | The lock on the door is broken. |
| mistake | noun | something done wrong | Sorry, that was my mistake. |
| wrong | adjective | not correct | They sent me the wrong size. |
| missing | adjective | not there, lost | One item is missing from the box. |
| complaint | noun | a statement that something is wrong | I’d like to make a complaint. |
| complain | verb | say that you are unhappy about something | I called to complain about the noise. |
| apologize | verb | say you are sorry | I apologize for the late reply. |
| sorry | adjective | feeling regret | Sorry, I didn’t see your message. |
| excuse me | phrase | polite way to get attention or pass | Excuse me, is this seat free? |
| fault | noun | responsibility for a mistake | It’s not your fault. |
| blame | verb | say someone is responsible for something bad | Don’t blame the intern. |
| fix | verb | repair or solve | They’ll fix it by Friday. |
| solve | verb | find an answer to a problem | We solved the login problem. |
| help | verb | make something easier for someone | Can you help me with this form? |
| support | noun | help from a company or service | I chatted with support for an hour. |
| compensation | noun | money given for a loss or problem | They offered compensation for the delay. |
| warranty | noun | a promise to repair or replace a product | The phone is still under warranty. |
| damaged | adjective | harmed or broken | The package arrived damaged. |
| leak | noun | a hole where liquid escapes | There’s a leak under the sink. |
| noise | noun | loud or unwanted sound | The noise upstairs starts at midnight. |
| in charge | phrase | responsible for something | Who is in charge here? |
| patient | adjective | able to wait calmly | Thanks for being patient. |
| misunderstanding | noun | a situation where someone understood wrongly | It was just a misunderstanding. |
20. Words for small talk and social life
For the openers themselves (hi, hey, how’s it going) see the English greetings guide; this set covers what comes after hello.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| hobby | noun | an activity you do for fun | Do you have any hobbies? |
| party | noun | a social event with friends | Are you coming to Maya’s party? |
| invite | verb | ask someone to come | Invite Tom and his roommate too. |
| invitation | noun | a request to come to an event | Thanks for the invitation. |
| catch up | phrasal verb | talk after a long time | Let’s catch up over coffee. |
| hang out | phrasal verb | spend time relaxing with people | We hang out at the park on Sundays. |
| meet up | phrasal verb | arrange to see someone | Want to meet up after work? |
| gym | noun | a place to exercise | I go to the gym before work. |
| movie | noun | a film | Have you seen any good movies lately? |
| show | noun | a television program or series | What show are you watching now? |
| concert | noun | a live music performance | The concert was sold out in an hour. |
| game | noun | a sports match or contest | Did you watch the game last night? |
| get-together | noun | an informal social meeting | We’re having a small get-together on Friday. |
| birthday | noun | the day you were born, each year | It’s my birthday next Tuesday. |
| gift | noun | something you give to someone | I still need a gift for Lena. |
| congratulations | noun | words said to celebrate someone’s success | Congratulations on the new job! |
| cheers | exclamation | said when raising a glass, or as informal thanks | Cheers, and welcome to the team. |
| joke | noun | something said to make people laugh | That was a terrible joke. |
| laugh | verb | make sounds because something is funny | We laughed for ten minutes. |
| fun | noun | enjoyment | The picnic was a lot of fun. |
| holiday | noun | a day off, or a vacation | Monday is a public holiday. |
| vacation | noun | time away from work for rest | I’m on vacation next week. |
| nice | adjective | pleasant, kind | It was nice to see you again. |
| see you | phrase | goodbye until next time | See you on Monday. |
| how about | phrase | used to make a suggestion | How about pizza tonight? |
Practice 4: a voicemail for a cousin (situations 16 to 20)
A2Hi Ana, it’s Ben. Sorry I missed your call; I was at the gym and my phone was on mute. Happy birthday for Tuesday! I have a gift for you, so let’s meet up this weekend. How about Saturday? My flight from Chicago lands at noon, and the hotel is downtown, near your office. I’ll check in, take a shower, and then I’m free all afternoon. If you’re busy, no problem, we can catch up on Sunday instead. Text me when you get this. See you soon.
Read it aloud
Listen to a model reading, then record yourself. You get your speaking pace, the share of words that came through clearly, and the words to repeat.
How to learn 500 words in 20 to 50 days
- Pick a pace: 10 words a day (50 days) or one situation a day (20 days). Ten a day fits a commute; one situation a day fits a sprint before a trip or a new job. Both work only with the review step below.
- Say every word in a sentence of your own, out loud. The example sentence shows the pattern; your own sentence is the proof that you can use it. Silent reading skips this step, which is the one that matters for speaking. If a word is hard to pronounce, the pronunciation practice guide covers word stress and the sounds that trip up most learners.
- Review by situation, not alphabetically. The words in one table appear together in real life (menu, order, bill, tip), so each one cues the others. An alphabetical list removes that help.
- Space the reviews. Review a set the next day, then after a week, then after a month, instead of three times in one evening. The reason is in the callout below.
- Put each set into a conversation. Use the four practice blocks on this page, then take one prompt from the 54 English conversation topics that matches the situation and answer it out loud for one minute. The 15-minute daily routine has a slot for exactly this.
Why spaced review: a 2006 meta-analysis by Cepeda, Pashler, Vul, Wixted and Rohrer (Psychological Bulletin) pooled 839 assessments from 317 experiments and found that the gap between study sessions that produced the best recall grew with how long the material had to be remembered. For words you want to keep for months, that means longer gaps, not more repetitions in one sitting.
How many words you need for daily conversation: 500 is a start, 3,000 word families is the working size
500 words covers the 20 situations on this page, not the whole language. Paul Nation’s 2006 study used frequency lists built from the British National Corpus to measure what vocabulary size gives 98% coverage of a text, the threshold the paper uses for unassisted comprehension: in two samples of unscripted conversation, 3,000 word families plus proper nouns gave over 95% coverage, and 6,000 to 7,000 word families were needed to reach 98%. Adolphs and Schmitt (2003) found that 2,000 word families covered less than 95% of spoken discourse. A word family counts a word with its forms (walk, walks, walked, walking), so 3,000 families is more than 3,000 list entries.
The order of work after this page: finish the 20 situations, then take the Oxford 3000 by CEFR level (A1 to B2), which adds the general words this page leaves out. For a spoken-only list, the NGSL-Spoken (NGSL-S, 721 words) is the closest published list to everyday conversation.
Say the 500 words in a real conversation
A list gives you the words; a conversation makes you retrieve them with someone waiting for the answer. Fluently is an AI speaking coach for non-native professionals: hold a voice conversation or role-play on everyday and work situations like the twenty above, and after each answer get feedback on pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary and grammar. The app is on iOS and Android and opens with a free 4-minute speaking assessment; a trial comes before any subscription.
Frequently asked questions
How many words do I need to speak English in daily life?
For the 20 situations on this page, the 500 words here plus the function words you already know are enough to ask, answer and explain in short sentences. For unscripted conversation on any topic, Nation (2006) measured that 3,000 word families plus names gave over 95% coverage of conversation samples, and 6,000 to 7,000 families were needed for 98%. Treat 500 as the first block, 3,000 as the working target.
What are the most common English words used in daily life?
By raw frequency, the most common words are function words: the, be, to, of, and, a, in, that, have, I, in the Oxford English Corpus ranking. They carry grammar rather than meaning, so a list of them gives you nothing to study. The common content words of daily life are the ones in the tables above: verbs like get up, order, book, borrow, fix; nouns like commute, deadline, receipt, prescription, forecast; and the adjectives that describe how you feel and what fits.
How can I remember 500 words?
Learn them by situation, say each one in a sentence of your own, and review with growing gaps (next day, next week, next month). The situation groups give each word neighbors that cue it, the spoken sentence turns recognition into use, and the spaced reviews match what the memory research on distributed practice found. Ten words a day with those three habits is 50 days for the full list.
Are 500 words enough for basic conversation?
Enough for basic conversation inside these situations: ordering, paying, asking the way, describing a symptom, fixing a meeting time, complaining politely. Not enough for open conversation on any topic, where research puts the working vocabulary at around 3,000 word families. The four practice blocks on this page show what 500 words sound like in use: short sentences, one idea each, with questions to keep the exchange going.
How many English words should I learn per day?
Ten new words a day, plus a review of yesterday’s ten, is a pace most learners keep for the 50 days this list needs. One full situation a day (25 words) works for a short sprint before a trip or a job start, but the review load doubles by the second week. Count only the words you have said out loud in a sentence of your own.
