The easiest way to start reading Spanish is with stories written for your level. Contos has 44 Spanish series from A1 (beginner) to B2 (upper intermediate), in Spain Spanish, covering mystery, romance, crime, comedy, family and sci-fi. Every chapter ends on a cliffhanger, and chapters 1 and 2 of each series are free.
Spanish stories by level
Spanish guides
- A 30-day Spanish reading plan
- Your first 100 Spanish words
- How long does it take to learn Spanish?
- How many Spanish words do you need?
- Is Spanish hard to learn for English speakers?
- How to learn Spanish by reading
- Spanish CEFR levels explained: A1 to B2
- Spanish pronunciation for beginners
- Spanish reading practice: a 15-minute daily routine
- Spanish vs Portuguese: which should you learn?
Spanish phrases
- How to say beautiful in Spanish
- How to say cheers in Spanish
- How to say delicious in Spanish
- How to say "Do you speak English?" in Spanish
- How to say excuse me in Spanish
- How to say good morning in Spanish
- How to say good night in Spanish
- How to say goodbye in Spanish
- How to say happy birthday in Spanish
- How to say hello in Spanish
- How to say 'How are you?' in Spanish
- How to say "How much is it?" in Spanish
- How to say "I don't understand" in Spanish
- How to say I love you in Spanish
- How to say I miss you in Spanish
- How to say "my name is" in Spanish
- How to say nice to meet you in Spanish
- How to say please in Spanish
- How to say see you later in Spanish
- How to say sorry in Spanish
- How to say thank you in Spanish
- How to ask for the bill in Spanish
- How to ask where the toilet is in Spanish
- How to say yes and no in Spanish
- How to say you're welcome in Spanish
Spanish vocabulary
- The most common Spanish nouns: 100 everyday words with el and la
- The most common Spanish verbs: 100 to learn first
- Spanish daily routine vocabulary: 60 words from waking up to bedtime
- Days of the week and months in Spanish
- Spanish words for emotions and personality: 60 words
- Spanish food vocabulary: 60 words, from el pan to la cuenta
- Spanish words for the body and health: 50 words
- Spanish travel vocabulary: 60 words for airports, hotels and directions
- Useful everyday Spanish verbs: 100 more to learn
- Spanish work and office vocabulary: 60 words
How do you start reading Spanish as a beginner?
Start at A1, even if you did some Spanish at school. A1 chapters in Contos are short, around 180 words, built from short sentences mostly in the present tense. This is how the first one opens:
Alba llega a su nuevo apartamento en Madrid. Es pequeño, es viejo, pero es suyo.- Read chapter 1 for the story. Tap a word only when it stops you following what happens.
- Read the next chapter soon. Series keep their characters and places, so words come back: ruido (noise) turns up in both of the first two chapters of Calle Sol.
- Review the words you tapped. Contos turns them into flashcards, so the words you actually needed come back.
- Move up when your vocabulary does. Contos moves you to A2 when you know 500 words, B1 at 1,500 and B2 at 4,000.
Why stories rather than word lists? Reading lots of text you mostly understand is how learners meet the same words again and again in different sentences. Our guide to extensive reading has the research and a weekly target.
Which Spanish do Contos stories use?
Spain Spanish. The stories are written with the vocabulary of Spain, so you will read words like these:
| In Contos (Spain) | English | Often heard in Latin America |
|---|---|---|
| piso | flat, apartment | departamento, apartamento |
| ordenador | computer | computadora |
| móvil | mobile phone | celular |
Readers who learned Latin American Spanish can follow the stories easily; the table shows a few everyday words that differ.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read Spanish stories for free?
Yes. Chapters 1 and 2 of every Spanish series are free, here and in the Contos app. Contos Premium unlocks the rest of each series and new chapters every week.
Do I need to know any Spanish grammar first?
No. A1 chapters use short sentences, mostly in the present tense, and you can tap any word for its meaning. The Calle Sol page shows how ser and estar work in its first chapter.
How long until I can read Spanish at B1?
It depends on how much you read. Contos moves you to B1 when you know 1,500 Spanish words, and reading often helps, because you meet new words again before you forget them.
Is Contos Spanish from Spain or Latin America?
From Spain: words like piso, ordenador and móvil. Learners of Latin American Spanish can follow it easily; a few everyday words differ, such as computadora for ordenador.