The 75 most common words make up 40% of occurrences The 200 most common words make up 50% of occurrences The 524 most common words make up 60% of occurrences The 1257 most common words make up 70% of occurrences The 2925 most common words make up 80% of occurrences The 7444 most common words make up 90% of occurrences The 13374 most common words make up 95% of occurrences The 25508 most common words make up 99% of occurrences ( Sources: 5 Steps to Speak a New Language by Hung Quang Pham) This article has an excellent summary on how to rapidly learn a new language within 90days. We can begin with studying the first 600 words. Of course chucking is an effective way to memorize words readily. Here's a list to translate into the language you desire to learn that i grabbed from here! :) Expressions of politeness (about 50 expressions) * 'yes' and 'no': yes, no, absolutely, no way, exactly. * Question words : When? where? how? how much ? how many? why? what? who? which? whose? *Apologizing and parting : good morning, good afternoon, good evening , hello, goodbye, cheers, see you later, pleased to meet you, nice to have met. Interjections : Please , thank you, don't mention it, sorry, it'll be done, I agree, congratulations , thank heavens, nonsense. NOUNS(About 120 words) * Time : morning, afternoon, evening, night: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday , Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; spring, summer, autumn, winter; time, occasion, minute, half- hour, day, week, month ,year. People: family, relative, mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, husband, wife; colleague, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, people, person, human being, man, woman, lady, gentleman, boy, girl, child.