Spanish Noun Rules

Flashcards for reviewing Spanish noun genders, articles, and pluralization rules.

Definite Articles

Words like 'el,' 'la,' 'los,' 'las' that mean 'the.' 'El' is masculine singular, 'la' is feminine singular, 'los' is masculine plural, and 'las' is feminine plural.

Indefinite Articles

Words like 'un,' 'una,' 'unos,' 'unas' that mean 'a,' 'an,' or 'some.' 'Un' is masculine singular, 'una' is feminine singular, 'unos' is masculine plural, and 'unas' is feminine plural.

Feminine Noun Endings

Nouns ending in '-a,' '-dad,' '-sión,' '-ción,' '-is,' '-ie,' '-umbre' are often feminine, but there are exceptions.

Masculine Noun Endings

Nouns ending in '-o,' '-aje,' '-al,' '-és,' '-ín,' '-ma' (if from English), months, days of the week, '-ón,' or compound nouns are often masculine, but there are exceptions.

Nouns with Gender-Specific Meanings (Capital)

'La Capital' means the city or capital city, while 'El Capital' means money or capital. The article changes the noun's meaning.

Nouns with Gender-Specific Meanings (Corte)

'La Corte' means the court (judicial), while 'El Corte' means the cut or slice. The article changes the noun's meaning.

Nouns with Gender-Specific Meanings (Cura)

'La Cura' means the cure or remedy, while 'El Cura' means the priest. The article changes the noun's meaning.

Nouns with Gender-Specific Meanings (Guía)

'La Guía' means the guidebook, while 'El Guía' means the male guide. 'La Guía' can also refer to a female guide.

Nouns with Gender-Specific Meanings (Modelo)

'La Modelo' means the female model, while 'El Modelo' means the example or male model. The article changes the noun's meaning.

Nouns with Gender-Specific Meanings (Orden)

'La Orden' means a command or instruction, while 'El Orden' means tidiness or arrangement. The article changes the noun's meaning.

Nouns with Gender-Specific Meanings (Papa)

'La Papa' means the potato, while 'El Papa' means the Pope. The article changes the noun's meaning.

Nouns with Gender-Specific Meanings (Policía)

'La Policía' means the police force, while 'El Policía' means the male police officer. 'La Policía' can also refer to a female police officer.

Nouns with Gender-Specific Meanings (Radio)

'La Radio' means radio broadcasting, while 'El Radio' means the radius or radio apparatus. The article changes the noun's meaning.

Nouns ending in -ista, -ante, -ente

These nouns can be masculine or feminine depending on who they refer to. The article shows the gender (e.g., 'el artista' for a male artist, 'la artista' for a female artist').

Pluralization Rule 1 (Vowel)

If a noun ends in a vowel, add 's' to make it plural (e.g., 'carro' becomes 'carros').

Pluralization Rule 2 (Consonant)

When a noun ends in a consonant, add 'ES' to make it plural (e.g., papel -> papeles).