When learning a new language, you first start with simple basic knowledge. This includes the most common verbs, a few typical nouns and at least the personal pronouns. With this you can already formulate simple sentences, but a conversation is not possible with so little vocabulary. How large does the vocabulary have to be so that you can say you "speak" the language?
How many words do you need to know to speak a foreign language? There is no magic number. Whether you can hold a reasonably fluent conversation depends, on the one hand, on the vocabulary you have learnt and, on the other, on your individual ability to use and understand the words in the appropriate context. In an everyday conversation, it will probably be of little use to you if you learn a thousand words about plants.
It is important to learn a wide range of vocabulary that is used most frequently in everyday life. While the vocabulary in the phrasebook may be enough to get you through your holiday, you need a minimum of 10,000 words for a more in-depth conversation. In general, you can say that you "speak" a language when you know 25,000 to 30,000 words, depending on the language.
Learn a language through interesting material
You don't need to go to great lengths to search specifically for frequently used words. As they are "frequently used", they occur often enough in normal learning texts. You should therefore also look for learning material that you enjoy. If the content interests and appeals to you, it is much easier to learn than a dry factual text.
The more you engage with interesting reading and listening material in the language, the easier it will be for you to pick up the vocabulary used. And the more vocabulary you acquire, the easier it will be for you to build on it.
Learning by practising
If you have acquired a simple basic knowledge, you don't need to sit down and study with endless lists of vocabulary. Read through the material and try to understand the content from the context. You can look up words that you don't understand. But the best way to learn is to read through an easy story, for example, and learn as much as you can from the context.
Gradually you will internalise the recurring words in their various grammatical forms and be able to tackle more difficult material.
To speak a foreign language, take the opportunity to speak to a native speaker as soon as you have a basic understanding. Ask the person to speak slowly and clearly and to repeat or paraphrase words if necessary. Strict study is not the best way to learn a language, but practical application.
Speaking activates the vocabulary learnt from interesting content
There is no easy alternative when learning a language, it always involves work. But as long as learning is fun because you choose interesting material, you will make progress. Once you have learnt a minimum amount of vocabulary, you will have the opportunity to speak to other people in this new language, and the more you speak and practise, the more the passively learnt vocabulary will be activated in your memory.
With a basic vocabulary of only a few hundred words, it is unfortunately not yet possible to have an interesting conversation with someone in this language, because you do not understand what this person is saying and it is difficult for this person to adapt their language level to yours. However, passively learnt vocabulary is stored in your memory, even if you have never used it before, and it will come in handy at the right moment in the conversation.
How many words do you need to know to speak a foreign language?
First of all, you need to learn a sufficient vocabulary, and unfortunately this is only possible through persistent, passive input. But your efforts will be rewarded, because all these passively learnt words are stored in your head and are activated through conversation. Don't be discouraged if words and expressions that you have used in conversation before suddenly slip your mind the next time. This is completely normal and even happens with frequently used words. Keep your motivation and believe in yourself.
