If you are studying Spanish, you have probably studied millions of vocabulary words (hopefully within the context of a sentence).

Perhaps you have learned that “zapato” means shoe or that “pie” means foot.

Are these words useful in your conversations?
 
Perhaps if you are a shoe salesman. Although, most people wear shoes that they put on their feet, so it is somewhat important for everyone to know, right?

Well, that is up to you to decide.

You have probably had people suggest you learn the top 1,000+ most common words in Spanish, but really you need the top vocabulary that is important in your everyday life. 
Ask yourself these questions: 

• What are your hobbies? 
• Do you have a job? What is it and what do you have to do for that job? 
• What is your family like? 
• What are your favorite memories? 

I would suggest translating these questions to Spanish and then answering them. That way if you ever get asked about them in the future, you will have your vocabulary built up and your “script” ready to go.

These are personal questions, about what about other topics?

That is the unique and interesting thing about having a conversation, you get to decide what words come out of you. If you do not want to talk about something, you do not have to.

Brainstorm conversations that you usually end up talking about and learn the vocabulary.

Here’s the thing, I couldn’t have a conversation with you about mechanics or welding, yet I am fluent in English. So why would I learn those words in Spanish?

That is why in those English classes you took during your schooling you have a vocabulary book to try to teach you more English words. Then later you learn vocabulary specific to your career. You learn more and more words in any language, even your native one, as you progress.

The more you practice those vocabulary words, the more likely you are to succeed in your conversations.