English A0 vocabulary list: 229 words

definite article marking a specific noun

Also means: article forming part of a proper name · superlative marker in “the most” · definite article nominalizing an adjective

marks an infinitive verb

Also means: marks movement toward a destination · marks the recipient or addressee · marks an adjacent position

joins words or phrases

Also means: joins clauses · introduces a contrasting continuation · prompts continuation or asks what comes next

inside or within a place

Also means: during a period of time · present within something · in a manner or respect

links a part or position to its whole

Also means: introduces the things counted by a quantity · marks possession or belonging · marks what something consists of

singular indefinite article

Also means: part of the quantifier “a lot” · part of the degree phrase “a bit” · distributive marker meaning “per”

present copula linking a subject to an adjective

Also means: present copula expressing identity or membership · present locative copula expressing presence or location · progressive auxiliary be

demonstrative pronoun

Also means: relative-clause pronoun · content-clause marker · demonstrative determiner

copular be: links a subject to a complement

Also means: progressive auxiliary: marks an ongoing action · passive auxiliary: marks the passive voice · future-intention auxiliary in “be going to”

second-person subject pronoun

Also means: second-person object pronoun · generic subject pronoun · second-person predicative complement pronoun

singular inanimate object pronoun

Also means: singular inanimate subject pronoun · dummy subject pronoun in an impersonal statement · singular subject pronoun for an unidentified person

first-person singular subject pronoun

Also means: regnal numeral in a royal name

demonstrative pronoun: this thing or situation

Also means: demonstrative determiner: near singular thing · demonstrative pronoun: this person or name · demonstrative determiner: this particular person or name

during a period of time

Also means: intended for someone · because of a reason · intended for a particular purpose

on

/ɑn/

touching or resting on a surface

Also means: marks a date · located at or along a place · written or printed on a document

negates a verb phrase

Also means: negates a noun phrase · negates an adjective or property · negates a prepositional phrase

have

/hæv/

possess or bear

Also means: perfect-tense auxiliary · have time available · mark obligation in the 'have to' construction

past singular be, linking a subject to a description

Also means: past be auxiliary marking an ongoing action · past singular be, expressing existence · past be auxiliary forming a passive construction

sent by a person

Also means: out of a place or material · taken from a collection or source · location from which something is seen or done

possessive determiner: belonging to me

Also means: exclamatory possessive modifier expressing surprise or distress · affectionate possessive form of address

third-person singular masculine subject pronoun

auxiliary marking questions or negation

Also means: perform an action · affirmative auxiliary substituting for a repeated verb · emphatic affirmative auxiliary

direction of visual attention

Also means: specific time · location at a place or landmark · location at a table

by

/baɪ/

no later than a specified time

Also means: using or through a means · indicates the agent or doer in a passive construction · beside or near

one

/wʌn/

the number 1; a single unit

Also means: pronoun for a person or thing · emphatic determiner highlighting a particular thing · indefinite determiner marking a particular but unspecified time

contrastive conjunction

Also means: conversational contrast marker · exclusive marker meaning “only”

interrogative pronoun asking which thing or information

Also means: free relative pronoun meaning “the thing(s) that” · exclamatory interjection expressing surprise or confusion · interrogative determiner asking which kind or item

indefinite article before a vowel sound

relative pronoun referring to a person

Also means: interrogative pronoun: which person · relative pronoun referring to a thing

possessive determiner: belonging to a male person

Also means: possessive pronoun: belonging to a male person

third-person plural subject pronoun

Also means: generic indefinite subject pronoun referring to people in general · singular gender-neutral subject pronoun referring to a specific person

possessive determiner for a female person

Also means: female person as an object · female person as subject of an -ing clause · female person as subject of an infinitive clause

feminine singular subject pronoun

Also means: feminine singular pronoun used as a subject complement · quoted mention of the word “she”

now

/naʊ/

at the present time

Also means: at this point in a situation · discourse marker signaling a transition or shift · introduces an imperative command

see

/siː/

visually perceive

Also means: meet or visit someone · understand or realize · witness or observe

say

/seɪ/

say words

Also means: state in writing · indicate or display information · be reported or alleged

dummy subject introducing existence

Also means: in or at that place · present or existing without emphasis

good

/ɡʊd/

of high quality or ability

Also means: pleasant or enjoyable · expressing approval · favorable or lucky

many

/ˈmɛni/

a large number of

Also means: asks for a number · a greater amount of · additional or further things

go

/ɡəʊ/

move or leave

Also means: proceed or happen in a particular way · be lost or no longer available · enter a place

people

/ˈpiːpəl/

people; human beings

possessive determiner: belonging to you

know

/noʊ/

be aware of information

Also means: be acquainted with a person · express uncertainty · discourse marker seeking acknowledgment

take

/teɪk/

take possession of

Also means: capture a photograph · carry or bring · take something, with the object unspecified

make

/meɪk/

cause something to become a particular state

Also means: manufacture or produce · prepare food or a meal · cause someone to do something

come

/kʌm/

arrive or attend

Also means: return · advance or flow inward · accompany someone

want

/wɑnt/

desire or wish to do something

Also means: desire or wish to have something · desire someone else to do something · expresses unspecified desire

two

/tuː/

the number 2

Also means: two people addressed as a pair · a pair of people

particle meaning lift or take

Also means: toward a higher position · into an upright position · particle meaning search for information

no

/noʊ/

not any; zero

Also means: expression of dismay · negative answer or disagreement · not anymore (in “no longer”)

No

/noʊ/

negative reply or refusal

back

/bæk/

to a previous place

Also means: in reply · again, resuming a previous action · at the rear

well

/wɛl/

in a competent or satisfactory way

Also means: to a considerable degree or with familiarity · discourse marker introducing a correction or qualification · discourse marker introducing a response or transition

look

/lʊk/

direct one’s gaze

Also means: appear · search for · attention-getting discourse marker

intensifies an adjective or adverb

Also means: intensifies a quantifier expressing a small number

question word asking for a location

Also means: relative word meaning “in or at which place” · question word asking for a destination

here

/hɪr/

at this place

Also means: in this situation or context · introducing what follows · presenting or offering something to someone

too

/tuː/

also

Also means: more than desired

new

/nuː/

recently made or received

Also means: unfamiliar or novel · recently arrived or introduced · not previously used

always

/ˈɔːlweɪz/

on every occasion; repeatedly

Also means: invariably; without changing · throughout the relevant time; all along

give

/ɡɪv/

give or hand something to someone

Also means: tell someone information · give an interview · deliver a speech

again

/əˈɡɛn/

another time

Also means: back to an earlier state · request to repeat

love

/lʌv/

strongly like or enjoy

Also means: feel deep affection for someone · term of endearment used in address · affectionate letter closing

through

/θɹuː/

across or via an intervening space or object

Also means: among items while examining them · by means of · during an ongoing event or period

polite request marker

Also means: urgent plea

need

/niːd/

have to do something; be necessary

Also means: require or be in need of something · require someone to do something · require something to be a certain way

help

/hɛlp/

assist someone

Also means: be useful · assistance · be unable to prevent or control it

call

/kɔːl/

phones someone

Also means: gives a name to · phone conversation · shouts to summon someone

old

/oʊld/

from the past; not recent

Also means: aged; ancient · aged seventeen; having the stated age · advanced in age; elderly

affirmative answer or agreement

Also means: acknowledgment before a qualification · response signaling attention when addressed · question tag seeking agreement

work

/wɜːk/

do a job or be employed

Also means: job or work activity · artistic creation or body of creative work · function properly

each recurring time period

Also means: each item or member in a group

stop

/stɑp/

cease an activity

Also means: halt or pause a journey · cease operating or functioning · command to stop

big

/bɪɡ/

large in size or scale

Also means: serious or major · warm and affectionate

under

/ˈʌndər/

below or beneath

Also means: using or identified by a name · within a category or scope · subject to copyright protection

put

/pʊt/

place or position something

Also means: put clothing on oneself · switch something on · set aside a fear

open

/ˈoʊpən/

unfasten or uncover something

Also means: not closed · move a door to allow entry · access a digital message

next

/nɛkst/

following in time or order

Also means: adjacent or beside

1

/wʌn/

one point or goal

Also means: one additional person · one o’clock

name

/neɪm/

personal name

Also means: name or title identifying something · called by a personal name · given a name or label

long

/lɔŋ/

lasting a long time

Also means: extended in physical length · anymore in “no longer” · by a considerable time earlier

start

/stɑːrt/

begin an activity or event

Also means: the beginning · mark the beginning of a time span

wait

/weɪt/

present-tense verb meaning remains until something happens

Also means: interjection expressing surprise or seeking confirmation · interjection signaling reconsideration or correction · imperative verb telling someone to pause

thank

/θæŋk/

express gratitude

Also means: express relief

day

/deɪ/

calendar day or 24-hour period

Also means: important occasion or event · part of the daily cycle · the present time or era

play

/pleɪ/

perform music

Also means: take part in a sports match · label identifying the audio-playback button · engage in a game

five

/faɪv/

the number five

number

/ˈnʌmbɚ/

telephone number

Also means: numeric value or digit sequence · address number · numbered item or label

oh

/oʊ/

dismay

Also means: surprise or realization · relief or pleasure · sympathy or regret

bad

/bæd/

unwise or undesirable

Also means: of poor quality · in poor physical condition · guilty and sorry

possessive/genitive marker

read

/riːd/

past tense: interpret written text

Also means: gerund/participle: interpret written text · present tense, third-person singular: interpret written text · infinitive: interpret written text

small

/smɔːl/

limited in size or extent

Also means: minor or unimportant · low in volume · exclamation expressing surprise at a coincidence

today

/təˈdeɪ/

on this day

Also means: the current day

music

/ˈmjuːzɪk/

music; organized sounds

man

/mæn/

adult male person

Also means: informal term of address · male attendant at a wedding

white

/waɪt/

white in color

Also means: a type of coffee drink · pale from worry · the chess side or player using the white pieces

turn

/tɜːn/

rotate

Also means: change direction · face or move toward · prove to be the case

home

/hoʊm/

to one’s home

Also means: at home · one’s home as a residence · residential care facility

party

/ˈpɑrti/

social celebration or gathering

Also means: group of people working together

woman

/ˈwʊmən/

adult female person

watch

/wɑtʃ/

observe or look at

Also means: timepiece worn or carried · viewing, as in a watch party · stay alert and protect yourself

together

/təˈɡɛðər/

beside one another

Also means: jointly or cooperatively · collectively, as a group · in a romantic relationship

house

/haʊs/

dwelling or home

Also means: auction business or venue

room

/ruːm/

an enclosed space in a building

Also means: the people gathered in a room

5

/faɪv/

cardinal number five

Also means: flat identifier 5

discourse marker signaling a transition or next step

Also means: agreement or acknowledgment · in a well or safe state · acceptable or not a problem

friend

/frɛnd/

person you have a friendly relationship with

walk

/wɔːk/

move on foot

Also means: a journey on foot · command to move on foot

wrong

/rɔŋ/

not the correct or intended one

Also means: amiss or causing a problem · morally bad or improper · incorrectly

city

/ˈsɪti/

urban municipality

nice

/naɪs/

pleasant or agreeable

Also means: kind and generous · attractive in appearance · an approving exclamation

happy

/ˈhæpi/

feeling pleased

Also means: expressing a birthday wish · cheerful or joyful · expressing an anniversary wish

night

/naɪt/

nighttime, the dark part of a day

Also means: an especially important or significant occasion · good-night farewell

move

/muːv/

change position

Also means: relocate to a place · move something to a different position · propagate through a medium

near

/nɪr/

close to; preposition

Also means: close by; adverb · almost; nearly

point

/pɔɪnt/

indicated by pointing

Also means: main point or central issue · an unspecified time · intended purpose

behind

/bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or in the rear of

Also means: left in a former place or state

6

/sɪks/

six o'clock

Also means: flat number six

face

/feɪs/

front of the head; facial appearance

Also means: front side of an object · turn or orient toward · people referred to by their faces

times

/taɪmz/

occasions or instances

person

/ˈpɝsən/

human individual

Also means: physically present, face-to-face

inside

/ˌɪnˈsaɪd/

in an enclosed place

Also means: within the interior of a place · to the inside; indoors · the interior or inner part

sorry

/ˈsɑɹi/

adjective phrase expressing regret or apology

Also means: interjection used to apologize · adjective expressing pity or sympathy · interjection requesting repetition or clarification

sit

/sɪt/

be seated

Also means: take a seated position · rest or be located · wait and think before acting

blue

/bluː/

blue in color

Also means: the color blue

eye

/aɪ/

eyes (organs of sight)

Also means: expressive gaze or look · fresh perspective or way of seeing

seven

/ˈsɛvən/

the cardinal number 7

girl

/ɡɜːrl/

girl; young female person

street

/striːt/

road in a town or city

Also means: casual clothes worn outside the home

lol

/lɑl/

laughter marker

special

/ˈspɛʃəl/

unusual or distinctive

Also means: important or meaningful

pick

/pɪk/

lift or take up

Also means: collect or come get someone · move carefully or with difficulty · answer a ringing phone

red

/rɛd/

having the color red

hi

/haɪ/

greeting

ready

/ˈrɛdi/

prepared for use or action

Also means: fully cooked

wow

/waʊ/

expression of surprise or amazement

Also means: expression of admiration

visit

/ˈvɪzɪt/

visit someone

Also means: go to a place · a visit or stay

seat

/siːt/

place for sitting

beautiful

/ˈbjuːtɪfəl/

beautiful; aesthetically pleasing

photo

/ˈfoʊtoʊ/

photograph

Also means: profile picture

park

/pɑrk/

public green area

Also means: parking area for cars · left stationary in a parking position

alone

/əˈloʊn/

by oneself; without others

Also means: lonely; emotionally isolated · only; solely

church

/tʃɝtʃ/

church building

Also means: noun modifier meaning associated with a church

ground

/ɡraʊnd/

the earth’s surface

Also means: an area used for training · A sports venue used by a club

ok

/oʊˈkeɪ/

acknowledgment or acceptance

Also means: statement-opening discourse marker · self-directed reassurance or resolve cue · question-opening discourse marker

green

/ɡriːn/

green in color

Also means: the color green

sleep

/sliːp/

Also means: sleep as a state of rest

key

/kiː/

object used to open a lock

Also means: solution or crucial clue

Mom

/mɑm/

mother

Also means: addressing one’s mother

box

/bɑːks/

box, a container

Also means: telephone booth · dialog box, an on-screen message window · penalty enclosure

cup

/kʌp/

cupful or serving

Also means: drinking container · competition trophy

enter

/ˈɛntər/

go into a place

Also means: be admitted as evidence · join a contest

dog

/dɔɡ/

dog, a domesticated canine

door

/dɔː/

Also means: adjacent/nearby (in “next door”) · emotional opening (metaphorical)

hair

/hɛr/

hair on a person's head

tree

/triː/

tree (plant)

dark

/dɑɹk/

dark-colored or deep in shade

Also means: without light; unlit · darkness; absence of light · nighttime; the period after sunset

birthday

/ˈbɝθdeɪ/

day celebrating someone’s birth

Also means: modifies a noun to mean related to a birthday

paper

/ˈpeɪpər/

a sheet of paper

Also means: noun modifier: made of paper · paper material · a written document

bed

/bɛd/

sleeping bed

Also means: garden plot

safe

/seɪf/

protected and secure

Also means: out of danger or harm · not dangerous

window

/ˈwɪndoʊ/

window: opening in a wall for light and air

flower

/ˈflaʊər/

flower or flowers

cold

/koʊld/

having a low temperature

Also means: emotionally distant or unfriendly · cold weather or low temperature · chilling or unsettling, producing fear or dread

hello

/həˈloʊ/

greeting someone

Also means: answering or starting a phone call · calling for attention or expressing surprise

eight

/eɪt/

the number eight

Also means: eight o'clock as a time

secret

/ˈsiːkrət/

hidden information

Also means: hidden or private · a person or thing kept private

arrive

/əˈraɪv/

reached a place (past tense)

Also means: a message was received · an event or scheduled time came · appeared or was added

yellow

/ˈjɛloʊ/

yellow in color

Also means: the color yellow

minute

/ˈmɪnɪt/

a short amount of time

Also means: a unit of time lasting sixty seconds

milk

/mɪlk/

Also means: attributive noun specifying something related to milk

cute

/kjuːt/

adorable or pleasantly attractive

cat

/kæt/

domestic feline animal

Also means: modifier meaning for domestic cats

hotel

/hoʊˈtɛl/

hotel: modifying noun, related to a hotel

Also means: hotel: lodging establishment

floor

/flɔːr/

building's walking surface

map

/mæp/

map; diagram showing locations or distribution

Also means: survey or chart geographically

fish

/fɪʃ/

fish; fish as food or an animal

Also means: catch fish · fish-related noun modifier

drink

/drɪŋk/

consume liquid

Also means: act of consuming liquid · beverage

empty

/ˈɛmpti/

holding nothing

Also means: unoccupied; no person is in it · deserted; no people are present · blank; containing no writing or content

garden

/ˈɡɑːrdən/

cultivated area for growing plants

chat

/tʃæt/

group online conversation

Also means: private online conversation · message conversation or thread

cake

/keɪk/

a baked sweet food

Also means: noun modifier specifying a cake-related photo · noun modifier identifying the baked item a recipe is for

hall

/hɔl/

a large indoor room or gathering space

Also means: an indoor passageway · an entrance room or foyer · a municipal government building

sad

/sæd/

unhappy or sorrowful

Also means: pathetic or inadequate

haha

/ˈhɑːhɑː/

laughter interjection

bus

/bʌs/

a large road vehicle for carrying passengers

silver

/ˈsɪlvɚ/

silver-coloured

Also means: silver-coloured coating or substance

surprise

/sərˈpraɪz/

unexpected event or thing

Also means: feeling astonished

chair

/tʃɛr/

seat

apple

/ˈæpəl/

apple (fruit)

magic

/ˈmædʒɪk/

having supernatural powers

warm

/wɔːrm/

physically warm

Also means: friendly and pleasant · warm-colored

driver

/ˈdraɪvər/

person who drives

bottle

/ˈbɑtəl/

container for liquids

tired

/ˈtaɪərd/

feeling in need of rest

Also means: showing signs of fatigue

afraid

/əˈfreɪd/

feeling fear

quiet

/ˈkwaɪət/

silent or with little noise

Also means: calm and without much activity · subtle or unobtrusive · silence or absence of noise

kitchen

/ˈkɪtʃɪn/

room for cooking

Also means: kitchen-related noun modifier

apartment

/əˈpɑrtmənt/

a home unit

Also means: residential, as a modifier

lights

/laɪts/

sources of light

scared

/skɛrd/

feeling afraid

fifty

/ˈfɪfti/

cardinal numeral 50 used to quantify a noun

Also means: 50 as the tens component of a compound numeral

object

/ˈɑːbdʒɛkt/

physical thing or item

plate

/pleɪt/

flat dish for holding food

coat

/koʊt/

coat (outer garment)

Also means: noun modifier meaning related to coats (in “coat room”) · verb meaning covered with a layer

tall

/tɔːl/

high in height; attributive adjective

Also means: high in height; predicative adjective

grey

/ɡreɪ/

gray-colored

Also means: gray horse · a gray color or shade · dull or gloomy

mystery

/ˈmɪstəri/

something unknown or unexplained

Also means: modifier meaning unidentified · modifier indicating detective-fiction genre

curious

/ˈkjʊriəs/

eager to know

ghost

/ɡoʊst/

ghost or spirit

grass

/ɡræs/

grass plants

tail

/teɪl/

tail or trailing extension

piano

/piˈænoʊ/

piano musical instrument

ingredient

/ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/

component used in a mixture or recipe

balloon

/bəˈluːn/

inflatable party decoration

recipe

/ˈrɛsəpi/

instructions for preparing a dish

frog

/frɑɡ/

frogs

fridge

/frɪdʒ/

refrigerator

lid

/lɪd/

cover that closes a container

mermaid

/ˈmɝːmeɪd/

mythical woman with a fish tail

Cornish

/ˈkɔːrnɪʃ/

from or relating to Cornwall

pasty

/ˈpæsti/

filled pastry

scone

/skoʊn/

a small baked bread or cake