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Spanish · Reading · A1–C1

Graded Spanish reading

A graded reader is a text written for a specific level, using only the grammar and vocabulary a learner at that level knows. Reading text where you understand almost every word is one of the fastest ways to build vocabulary. Choose a level: each sentence has audio and a word-for-word gloss, and the English translation stays hidden until you want it.

EACH LEVEL ADDS ONE LAYER A1present tense, short sentences A2two past tenses B1opinions, the subjunctive C1idioms, nuance, long sentences Levels follow the CEFR, the European scale from A1 to C2.
The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) describes six levels, A1 to C2. Each text here stays inside its level’s grammar.
A1 · Beginner

Me llamo Pablo

My name is Pablo

Pablo introduces himself, his family and his day. Present tense only, with ser, estar and tener.

  1. 1
    MemyselfllamocallPabloPabloyandtengo(I) haveveintetwentyaños.years
    meh YAH-moh PAH-bloh ee TEN-goh BAYN-teh AH-nyos
    Note: Spanish “has” years: tener veinte años.
  2. 2
    Soy(I) amdefromSevilla,Sevilleperobutvivo(I) liveeninMadrid.Madrid
    soy deh seh-BEE-yah, PEH-roh BEE-boh en mah-DREETH
    Note: Ser de for origin; vivir en for where you live now.
  3. 3
    Estudio(I) studyMedicinaMedicineenatlatheuniversidad.university
    es-TOO-dyoh meh-dee-THEE-nah en lah oo-nee-bair-see-DAHD
    Note: Universidad ends in -dad, so it is feminine.
  4. 4
    MimyhermanasisterseherselfllamacallsElena.Elena
    mee air-MAH-nah seh YAH-mah eh-LEH-nah
    Note: Se llama: the “she” form of llamarse.
  5. 5
    Ellasheesisaltatallyandmuyverysimpática.nice
    EH-yah es AHL-tah ee mwee seem-PAH-tee-kah
    Note: Ser for character and looks; both adjectives end in -a to agree with ella.
  6. 6
    Hoytodayestoy(I) amcansadotiredporquebecausetengo(I) haveunanexamen.exam
    oy es-TOY kahn-SAH-doh POR-keh TEN-goh oon ek-SAH-men
    Note: Estar for a passing state. Cansado ends in -o because Pablo is a man.

Did you understand?

Answer from memory first, then check against the text.

¿De dónde es Pablo?Where is Pablo from? · show answer ↓ Es de Sevilla.He’s from Seville.
¿Qué estudia?What does he study? · show answer ↓ Estudia Medicina.He studies medicine.
¿Por qué está cansado?Why is he tired? · show answer ↓ Porque tiene un examen.Because he has an exam.

The grammar in this text

WHAT EACH TEXT ADDSA1Present tense, ser and estarSoy de Sevilla.I’m from Seville.A2Preterite and imperfectHacía sol y fuimos a Toledo.It was sunny and we went to Toledo.B1Subjunctive after no creo queNo creo que sea la solución.I don’t think it’s the solution.B2Subjunctive in a relative clauseQuien se levante corre el riesgo…Whoever gets up runs the risk…
Each text keeps everything from the step before and adds one structure. The example under each step is taken from that text (shortened where needed); the guides below explain it in full.
Grammar guideSer and estarSoy de, es alta, estoy cansado. Grammar guideThe present tenseEstudio, vivo, tengo. Grammar guideGender and articlesLa universidad, simpática.

How to read a graded text

  1. 01 Listen first Play the whole text once without reading. Notice what you catch.
  2. 02 Read with the gloss Go sentence by sentence, using the small English words under each Spanish word.
  3. 03 Check the translation Reveal the English only after you have a guess of your own.
  4. 04 Read aloud Play each sentence, then say it yourself at the same speed.