Start with Common Words
The Common Words category is the largest in Passage with over 400 words, and it's built around the most frequently used vocabulary in everyday language. These are the words that appear in menus, signs, conversations, and news — the foundation everything else builds on.
Set the level to Elementary and work your way up.
Animals and Food are universally approachable
Animals and Food & Cuisine are two of the most intuitive categories for any language learner. The vocabulary is concrete, memorable, and easy to visualise. When you hear the Spanish word *mariposa* (butterfly) or the French *escargot*, there's a clear mental image attached — which makes retention much easier.
Emotions unlock conversation
The Emotions category is underrated for beginners. Knowing how to express how you feel — *frustrado*, *emocionado*, *sorprendido* — is immediately useful in real conversation and highly motivating to learn.
What to avoid early on
Hold off on Philosophy, Medicine, and Academic Connectives until you're comfortable with at least two other categories. These are rich and rewarding, but the vocabulary is abstract and harder to anchor to everyday experience.
A good progression
- Start: Common Words, Animals, Emotions
- Intermediate: Food, Travel, Body & Health
- Advanced: Psychology, Philosophy, Literature