Spanish is a beautiful language. It’s full of expressive words. Some of the most interesting words start with the letter “J.” Whether you are learning Spanish for travel, work, or fun, knowing these words will boost your vocabulary. In this article, we explore over 50 Spanish words that start with J. We also explain their meanings and give examples.
Why Focus on Words That Start With J?
“J” is a unique letter in Spanish. It sounds different from English. For example, the Spanish “J” often sounds like a soft “h” in English. This makes words fun to pronounce. Learning words that start with J also helps you understand Spanish better. Many common verbs, nouns, and adjectives begin with J.
Spanish Words That Start With J
Here’s a list of 50+ Spanish words that start with J. We include their meanings and examples to make learning easier.
1. Jabalí
Meaning: Wild boar
Example: El jabalí corre por el bosque.
(The wild boar runs through the forest.)
2. Jabón
Meaning: Soap
Example: Necesito comprar jabón para lavar la ropa.
(I need to buy soap to wash the clothes.)
3. Jarra
Meaning: Jug or pitcher
Example: Puse agua en la jarra.
(I put water in the jug.)
4. Joven
Meaning: Young
Example: Mi hermana es muy joven.
(My sister is very young.)
5. Juego
Meaning: Game
Example: Vamos a jugar un juego.
(Let’s play a game.)
6. Juguete
Meaning: Toy
Example: El niño tiene muchos juguetes.
(The child has many toys.)
7. Jugo
Meaning: Juice
Example: Prefiero jugo de naranja.
(I prefer orange juice.)
8. Jirafa
Meaning: Giraffe
Example: La jirafa come hojas de los árboles.
(The giraffe eats leaves from the trees.)
9. Juez
Meaning: Judge
Example: El juez tomó una decisión justa.
(The judge made a fair decision.)
10. Justicia
Meaning: Justice
Example: Todos queremos justicia.
(We all want justice.)
11. Jarrazo
Meaning: Big jug
Example: Traje un jarrazo de agua fría.
(I brought a big jug of cold water.)
12. Jornada
Meaning: Workday
Example: Mi jornada termina a las seis.
(My workday ends at six.)
13. Jolgorio
Meaning: Party or celebration
Example: La fiesta fue un gran jolgorio.
(The party was a great celebration.)
14. Joya
Meaning: Jewel
Example: Ella tiene una joya muy cara.
(She has a very expensive jewel.)
15. Joroba
Meaning: Hump
Example: El camello tiene una joroba.
(The camel has a hump.)
16. Jeringa
Meaning: Syringe
Example: El doctor usó una jeringa.
(The doctor used a syringe.)
17. Jazmín
Meaning: Jasmine (flower)
Example: Me gusta el aroma del jazmín.
(I like the scent of jasmine.)
18. Juguetón
Meaning: Playful
Example: El perro es muy juguetón.
(The dog is very playful.)
19. Jornada laboral
Meaning: Working day
Example: La jornada laboral fue larga.
(The working day was long.)
20. Jubilado
Meaning: Retired
Example: Mi abuelo es jubilado.
(My grandfather is retired.)
21. Jugoso
Meaning: Juicy
Example: La naranja está muy jugosa.
(The orange is very juicy.)
22. Juntar
Meaning: To gather or join
Example: Vamos a juntar las piezas del rompecabezas.
(Let’s gather the puzzle pieces.)
23. Juguetería
Meaning: Toy store
Example: Compré un regalo en la juguetería.
(I bought a gift at the toy store.)
24. Jaula
Meaning: Cage
Example: El pájaro está en la jaula.
(The bird is in the cage.)
25. Jactarse
Meaning: To brag
Example: Él siempre se jacta de sus logros.
(He always brags about his achievements.)
26. Jícara
Meaning: Small cup or bowl
Example: Sirvieron chocolate en una jícara.
(They served chocolate in a small cup.)
27. Jengibre
Meaning: Ginger
Example: Me gusta el té con jengibre.
(I like tea with ginger.)
28. Jaqueca
Meaning: Migraine
Example: Tengo una jaqueca terrible.
(I have a terrible migraine.)
29. Jinete
Meaning: Rider or horseman
Example: El jinete ganó la carrera.
(The rider won the race.)
30. Joropo
Meaning: Traditional dance from Venezuela
Example: Bailamos joropo en la fiesta.
(We danced joropo at the party.)
31. Jornada escolar
Meaning: School day
Example: La jornada escolar empieza a las ocho.
(The school day starts at eight.)
32. Juguetear
Meaning: To play around
Example: Los niños jugotean en el parque.
(The children play around in the park.)
33. Jarabe
Meaning: Syrup
Example: El jarabe sabe dulce.
(The syrup tastes sweet.)
34. Jorobado
Meaning: Hunchback
Example: El jorobado caminaba lentamente.
(The hunchback walked slowly.)
35. Jactancia
Meaning: Boastfulness
Example: Su jactancia molesta a todos.
(His boastfulness annoys everyone.)
36. Justo
Meaning: Fair or just
Example: La decisión del juez fue justa.
(The judge’s decision was fair.)
37. Juguemos
Meaning: Let’s play
Example: ¡Juguemos al escondite!
(Let’s play hide and seek!)
38. Jara
Meaning: Rockrose (type of plant)
Example: La jara crece en el campo.
(The rockrose grows in the field.)
39. Jefe
Meaning: Boss
Example: Mi jefe es muy amable.
(My boss is very kind.)
40. Jerga
Meaning: Slang
Example: No entiendo la jerga de los jóvenes.
(I don’t understand young people’s slang.)
41. Jubilación
Meaning: Retirement
Example: La jubilación es un momento feliz.
(Retirement is a happy moment.)
42. Jade
Meaning: Jade (stone)
Example: Compré un collar de jade.
(I bought a jade necklace.)
43. Jabonoso
Meaning: Soapy
Example: El plato estaba muy jabonoso.
(The plate was very soapy.)
44. Juguetónamente
Meaning: Playfully
Example: Los gatos juegan juguetónamente.
(The cats play playfully.)
45. Jolgorear
Meaning: To make merry
Example: Nos gusta jolgorear en Navidad.
(We like to make merry at Christmas.)
46. Jalapeño
Meaning: Spicy pepper
Example: Me gusta el jalapeño en mi comida.
(I like jalapeño in my food.)
47. Jarana
Meaning: Fun or revelry
Example: La jarana duró toda la noche.
(The fun lasted all night.)
48. Juguetón
Meaning: Mischievous or playful
Example: Mi gato es muy juguetón.
(My cat is very playful.)
49. Justificación
Meaning: Justification
Example: Necesito una justificación para mi ausencia.
(I need a justification for my absence.)
50. Jornal
Meaning: Daily wage
Example: El jornal de hoy fue suficiente.
(Today’s daily wage was enough.)
51. Jorobita
Meaning: Small hump or hunch
Example: La tortuga tiene una jorobita.
(The turtle has a small hump.)
Tips to Remember Spanish Words That Start With J
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Use flashcards. Write the Spanish word on one side and the meaning on the other.
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Practice speaking. Say each word aloud to improve pronunciation.
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Group similar words. For example, words about food or animals.
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Use them in sentences. Context helps you remember faster.
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Listen to Spanish music or shows. J-words often appear in conversation.
FAQs
Are these J-words common in daily Spanish?
Yes, many of these words are used in daily life. Words like jabón, jugo, joven, and jefe are very common.
Is the pronunciation of J difficult?
It can be tricky at first. Spanish J sounds like a soft “h.” Practice makes it easier.
Can I use these words in writing?
Absolutely. They are standard Spanish words suitable for writing and speaking.
Are there verbs that start with J?
Yes. Some examples are juntar, jugar, jactarse, and jolgorear.
How can I remember these words faster?
Use them in daily conversation, make flashcards, and listen to Spanish media.
