Spanish Words That Start With I: Essential Vocabulary

Learning Spanish vocabulary alphabetically isn’t the fastest method, but focusing on high-frequency words that start with "i" gives you practical building blocks you'll use every day. Here are the essentials.

Must-Know Words Starting With I

Essential Verbs

• ir (to go) — Most common: voy, vas, va, vamos
• incluir (to include)
• invitar (to invite)
• importar (to matter/be important) — "No me importa" (I don't care)

Everyday Nouns

• idioma (language)
• idea (idea)
• información (information)
• instituto (institute/school)
• invitación (invitation)
• isla (island)

Useful Adjectives

• importante (important)
• inteligente (intelligent)
• interesante (interesting)
• imposible (impossible)

Common Phrases to Practice

• Tengo una idea — I have an idea
• Es importante — It's important
• Voy a + verb — I'm going to (do something)
• ¿Te importa si...? — Do you mind if...?
• Es interesante — It's interesting

Quick Practice (5 Minutes)

1. Say 5 sentences using "ir" (voy, vas, va).
2. Use 3 adjectives above in context.
3. Practice the phrase "Voy a..." with 3 activities.

Example: "Voy a estudiar español. Es importante para mí."

Memorization Tip

Group related words. "Importante," "importar," and "no me importa" share a root—learn them together for faster recall.

Make It Stick

The best way to learn vocabulary isn’t memorization—it’s using words in real conversations. Practice these "i" words in context, get instant feedback, and watch them become natural. Try Parlai and chat about topics you care about while building your vocabulary.