Word: no
Pronunciation: NOH
Meaning: not, non- (as a prefix), un- (as a prefix), no
Example: Es una historia con un final no feliz.
Translation: It's a story with an unhappy ending.

Word: pero
Pronunciation: PEH-doh (Note that the Spanish r here is pronounced with a tap of the tongue against the front of the palate.)
Meaning: but
Example: Actualicé la lista de servidores, pero no puedo descargar nada.
Translation: I updated the list of servers, but I can't download anything.
Warning: If pronounced incorrectly it may sound like "perro" (dog) or "Pedro" (Peter)

Word: colon
Pronunciation: Ko-lon
Meaning: Columbus
Example: Cristóbal Colón descubrió América en 12 de octubre de 1492.
Translation: Christopher Columbus discovered America on October 12, 1492.
Extra: This is also the monetary currency for a few countries.

Word: la gente
Pronunciation: HEN-teh (Note that in most areas, the Spanish g in this word is pronounced with a guttural sound.)
Meaning: people
Example: La gran mayoría de la gente de Panamá no tiene acceso a Internet.
Translation: The large majority of the people of Panama don't have access to the Internet.
Warning: Gente takes a singular verb: La gente es

Word: la madera
Pronunciation: mah-THEH-rah (The d here is pronounced somewhat like the "th" in "though." The Spanish r here is pronounced with a tap of the tongue against the front of the palate.)
Meaning: wood, timber, lumber
Example: La madera es una sustancia dura y resistente que constituye el tronco de los árboles
Translation: Wood is a hard and strong material that makes up the trunk of trees.

Word: el horno
Pronunciation: OHR-noh (The Spanish r here is pronounced with a tap of the tongue against the front of the palate.)
Meaning: oven, furnace, kiln
Example: Sacar del horno, y servir acompañado de papas y ensalada.
Translation: Remove from the oven and serve accompanied with potatoes and salad.

Word: mantener
Pronunciation: mahn-teh-NEHR (The Spanish r here is pronounced with a tap of the tongue against the front of the palate.)
Meaning: to maintain, to keep, to support
Example: Quiero que mantengas limpia tú habitación.
Translation: I want you to keep your room clean.
Warning: Mantener is conjugated in the same was as tener. For example, "I maintain" is mantengo.