11.3.1

Gender of Nouns for People & Animals

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Gender of Nouns for People and Animals

The most common noun endings are 'o' for masculine nouns, and 'a' for feminine nouns. But there are others. When talking about animals and people they can either be masculine or feminine.

Nouns ending in 'o'

Nouns ending in 'o'

  • Nouns that end in 'o' are generally masculine.
  • To form the feminine of these nouns you replace the 'o' with an 'a'.
    • El tío → La tía.
      • The Uncle → The Aunt.
Nouns ending in 'd', 'l', 'n', 'r', 's' and 'z'

Nouns ending in 'd', 'l', 'n', 'r', 's' and 'z'

  • When in the masculine form these nouns do not have an 'o'.
  • To put them into the feminine form you add an 'a' to the masculine form.
    • El doctor → La doctora.
      • The doctor.
  • There are two main exceptions, which stay in the masculine form even when feminine.
    • El/la joven (the youth) and El/la líder (the leader).
Nouns ending in 'e'

Nouns ending in 'e'

  • Nouns that end in 'e' stay that way when masculine.
  • When these nouns are feminine sometimes the 'e' changes to an 'a', while sometimes it stays the same.
    • El presidente → La presidenta.
      • The president.
    • El alcalde → La alcalde.
      • The mayor.
  • An exception to this is:
    • El tigre (the tiger) → La tigresa (the tigress).
Nouns ending in 'ón' or 'ín'

Nouns ending in 'ón' or 'ín'

  • These nouns, in the masculine form, end in 'ón' or 'ín'.
  • In the feminine form they change to 'ona' or 'ina'.
    • 'El campeón → la campeona.
      • The champion.
    • El bailarín → La bailarina.
      • The ballet dancer
Nouns ending in 'í' or 'ú'

Nouns ending in 'í' or 'ú'

  • These nouns are normally masculine.
  • These nouns are usually only feminine when talking about someone's nationality or religion.
  • These noun endings do not change when feminine, It is only the article that changes.
    • El ají - the chilli pepper.
    • El hindú → La hindú - the Hindu.
Jump to other topics
1

The Basics

1.1

Pronouns

1.1.1Personal Pronouns
1.2

Verbs

1.2.13 Types of Verbs1.2.2The Infinitive1.2.3Verbs Indicating Weather
1.3

Nouns

1.3.1Noun Endings1.3.2Other Noun Endings
1.4

Adjectives

1.4.1Gender1.4.2Position of Adjectives
1.5

Abbreviations

1.5.1Common Abbreviations
2

Everyday Activities

2.1

Time Expressions

2.1.1Telling the Time2.1.2Dates2.1.3Time2.1.4Time Expressions (1/3)2.1.5Time Expressions (2/3)2.1.6Time Expressions (3/3)2.1.7Sometimes2.1.8A While2.1.9Days of the Week2.1.10Months2.1.11Seasons
2.2

Food & Drink

2.2.1Meat2.2.2Fish2.2.3Other Food2.2.4Fruit2.2.5Vegetables2.2.6Drinks2.2.7Snacks2.2.8Dairy2.2.9More Food2.2.10Food & Drinks: Adjectives2.2.11Cutlery & Utensils2.2.12Exam-Style Questions - Food
2.3

The Human Body & Health

2.3.1The Head2.3.2The Body (1/2)2.3.3The Body (2/2)2.3.4The Body: Verbs & Expressions2.3.5Health2.3.6Healthy Lifestyle2.3.7Bad Lifestyles2.3.8Illness2.3.9Recovery
2.4

Travel & Transport

2.4.1Holidays2.4.2What Did You Do on Holiday?2.4.3Opinions2.4.4Transport2.4.5Asking About Your Journey2.4.6Making a Reservation2.4.7Accomodation2.4.8Tourism2.4.9Directions2.4.10Near, There2.4.11Exam-Style Questions - Holidays
3

Personal & Social Life

3.1

Greetings

3.1.1Greetings (1/2)3.1.2Greetings (2/2)
3.2

Self, Family & Friends

3.2.1Age & Name3.2.2To Have - 'Tener'3.2.3Physical Appearance3.2.4Appearance3.2.5Physical Appearance 23.2.6Personality (1/2)3.2.7Personality (2/2)3.2.8Describing People3.2.9Relationships3.2.10Family3.2.11Family Members3.2.12Describing Family3.2.13Talking About Your Family3.2.14Friends (1/2)3.2.15Friends (2/2)3.2.16Important Verbs3.2.17Role Model3.2.18Favourite Games3.2.19Invitations3.2.20Describing Personality
3.3

In The Home

3.3.1Home3.3.2What is in Your House?3.3.3Helping at Home3.3.4Daily Routine (1/2)3.3.5Daily Routine (2/2)3.3.6Near Your Home3.3.7Common Prepositions3.3.8The Bathroom3.3.9The Bathroom: Verbs & Expressions3.3.10The Living Room3.3.11The Kitchen3.3.12The Bedroom3.3.13House Chores3.3.14The Garden3.3.15Household Appliances
3.4

Colours

3.4.1Colours
3.5

Clothes & Accesories

3.5.1Clothes (1/2)3.5.2Clothes (2/2)3.5.3Accessories
3.6

Leisure Time

3.6.1Music3.6.2Cinema3.6.3TV3.6.4Sport3.6.5What Sport Do You Do?3.6.6Why Do You Play Sports?3.6.7To Be in Fashion3.6.8Eating Out3.6.9Opinions3.6.10What I Liked
4

The World Around Us

4.1

People & Places

4.1.1Continents4.1.2Countries (1/2)4.1.3Countries (2/2)4.1.4Nationalities4.1.5Compass Points
4.2

The Natural World & The Environment

4.2.1Environment4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - The Environment4.2.3Good Weather4.2.4Bad Weather4.2.5The Natural Word4.2.6Climate Change4.2.7Animals4.2.8Natural World - Verbs & Expressions
4.3

Communications & Technology

4.3.1Mobile Technology4.3.2Social Media4.3.3Opinions on Social Media4.3.4Positives of Social Media4.3.5Negatives of Social Media4.3.6Using our Devices4.3.7Documents & Texts
4.4

The Built Environment

4.4.1Shops (1/2)4.4.2Shops (2/2)4.4.3Places in Town (1/2)4.4.4Places in Town (2/2)4.4.5Your Town4.4.6Town & Countryside4.4.7Food Shopping4.4.8How Much4.4.9Money Matters
4.5

Measurements

4.5.1Size & Weight4.5.2Shapes & Measurements
4.6

Materials

4.6.1Materials
5

The World of Work

5.1

Education

5.1.1School5.1.2In The Classroom5.1.3Subjects (1/2)5.1.4Subjects (2/2)5.1.5A Good Student5.1.6My Studies5.1.7Exam-Style Questions - A Good Student5.1.8Life at School5.1.9School Trips5.1.10University (1/2)5.1.11University (2/2)5.1.12Future Study5.1.13School Routine5.1.14Study - Verbs & Expressions
5.2

Work

5.2.1Types of Jobs (1/2)5.2.2Types of Jobs (2/2)5.2.3Work5.2.4Ideal Job5.2.5Languages5.2.6Charity5.2.7Charity Work5.2.8The Workplace
6

The International World

6.1

Culture, Customs, Faiths & Celebrations

6.1.1Languages6.1.2Customs & Festivals6.1.3Customs6.1.4Exam-Style Questions - Festivals
7

Listening

7.1

Time Expressions - Listening

7.1.1Time Expressions: Listening
7.2

The Human Body & Health - Listening

7.2.1Healthy & Unhealthy Living: Listening
7.3

Food & Drink - Listening

7.3.1Food & Drink: Listening
7.4

Travel & Transport - Listening

7.4.1Tourism: Listening7.4.2Tourism: Listening (Higher)
7.5

Self, Family & Friends - Listening

7.5.1Family & Friends: Listening7.5.2Family & Friends: Listening (Higher)7.5.3Marriage & Partnerships: Listening7.5.4Marriage & Partnerships: Listening (Higher)
7.6

In the Home - Listening

7.6.1In the Home: Listening
7.7

Colours - Listening

7.7.1Colours: Listening
7.8

Clothes & Accesories - Listening

7.8.1Clothes & Accesories: Listening
7.9

Leisure Time - Listening

7.9.1Music: Listening7.9.2Music: Listening (Higher)7.9.3Cinema & TV: Listening7.9.4Cinema & TV: Listening (Higher)7.9.5Food & Eating Out: Listening7.9.6Food & Eating Out: Listening (Higher)7.9.7Sport: Listening7.9.8Sport: Listening (Higher)
7.10

People & Places - Listening

7.10.1People & Places: Listening
7.11

The Environment - Listening

7.11.1The Environment: Listening
7.12

Communications & Technology - Listening

7.12.1Mobile Technology: Listening7.12.2Mobile Technology: Listening (Higher)7.12.3Social Media: Listening7.12.4Social Media: Listening (Higher)
7.13

The Built Environment - Listening

7.13.1My Neighbourhood: Listening7.13.2My Neighbourhood: Listening (Higher)
7.14

Measurements - Listening

7.14.1Measurements: Listening
7.15

Materials - Listening

7.15.1Materials: Listening
7.16

The World of Work - Listening

7.16.1Education: Listening7.16.2Life at School: Listening7.16.3Life at School: Listening (Higher)7.16.4Education Post-16: Listening7.16.5Jobs, Careers, & Ambition: Listening7.16.6Jobs & Careers: Listening (Higher)7.16.7Charity & Voluntary Work: Listening7.16.8Charity: Listening7.16.9Poverty & Homelessness: Listening
7.17

Culture, Customs, Faith & Celebrations

7.17.1Day of the Dead: Listening7.17.2Day of the Dead: Listening (Higher)
8

Common Tenses

8.1

Present Tense

8.1.1Present: Regular 'AR' Verbs8.1.2Present: 5 Common 'AR' Verbs8.1.3Present: Negative Verbs8.1.4Present: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (1/3)8.1.5Present: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (2/3)8.1.6Present: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (3/3)8.1.7Present: Regular 'ER' Verbs8.1.8Present: 5 Common 'ER' Verbs8.1.9Present: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (1/4)8.1.10Present: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (2/4)8.1.11Present: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (3/4)8.1.12Present: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (4/4)8.1.13Present: Regular 'IR' Verbs8.1.14Present: 5 Common 'IR' Verbs8.1.15Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (1)8.1.16Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (2)8.1.17Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (3)8.1.18Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (4)8.1.19Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (5)8.1.20Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (6)8.1.21Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (7)8.1.22Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (8)8.1.23Verb Phrases: Expressing Opinion8.1.24Present: Set Expressions8.1.25The Use of 'Se'
8.2

Preterite Tense

8.2.1Preterite: Regular 'AR' Verbs8.2.2Preterite: 5 Common 'AR' Verbs8.2.3Preterite: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (1/3)8.2.4Preterite: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (2/3)8.2.5Preterite: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (3/3)8.2.6Preterite: Regular 'ER' Verbs (1/2)8.2.7Preterite: Regular 'ER' Verbs (2/2)8.2.8Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs8.2.9Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs: 'Ser'8.2.10Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs: 'Tener'8.2.11Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs: 'Ver'8.2.12Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (1/3)8.2.13Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (2/3)8.2.14Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (3/3)8.2.15Preterite: Regular 'IR' Verbs8.2.16Preterite: 5 Common 'IR' Verbs8.2.17Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (1/4)8.2.18Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (2/4)8.2.19Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (3/4)8.2.20Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs8.2.21Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs - Decir8.2.22Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs - Venir8.2.23Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs - Ir
8.3

Imperfect Tense

8.3.1Regular 'AR' Verbs in the Imperfect8.3.2Regular 'ER' Verbs in the Imperfect8.3.3Regular 'IR' Verbs in the Imperfect8.3.4Imperfect: To Be - 'Ser'8.3.5Imperfect: To Go - 'Ir'8.3.6Imperfect: To See - 'Ver'
8.4

Preterite vs Imperfect Tenses

8.4.1Uses of the Preterite8.4.2Uses of the Imperfect8.4.3Preterite vs Imperfect
8.5

Future Tense

8.5.1The Future with 'Ir'8.5.2The Future with 'Ir': Uses
9

Important Verbs

9.1

To Be - 'Ser' & 'Estar'

9.1.1Conjugation: 'Ser'9.1.2Uses of 'Ser' (1/2)9.1.3Uses of 'Ser' (2/2)9.1.4Expressions Using 'Ser'9.1.5Conjugation: 'Estar'9.1.6Uses of 'Estar'9.1.7Expressions Using 'Estar'9.1.8General Expressions Using 'Estar' (1/2)9.1.9General Expressions Using 'Estar' (2/2)9.1.10'Ser' or 'Estar'9.1.11To Be - 'Ser' - Imperfect
9.2

To Like - 'Gustar'

9.2.1How to Use 'Gustar'9.2.2Similar Verbs to 'Gustar'
9.3

To Have - 'Tener'

9.3.1Conjugation: 'Tener'9.3.2Uses of 'Tener'9.3.3Phrases Using 'Tener' (1/2)9.3.4Phrases Using 'Tener' (2/2)
10

Advanced Tenses

10.1

Future

10.1.1Future: Regular Verbs: 'AR' Verbs10.1.2Future: Regular Verbs: 'ER' Verbs10.1.3Future: Regular Verbs: 'IR' Verbs10.1.4Uses of the Simple Future10.1.5Future: Irregular Verbs (1/2)10.1.6Future: Irregular Verbs (2/2)10.1.7Future: Irregular Verbs: 'Hacer'10.1.8Future: Irregular Verbs: 'Decir'
10.2

Conditional

10.2.1Conditional: Regular 'AR' Verbs10.2.2Conditional: Regular 'ER' Verbs10.2.3Conditional: Regular 'IR' Verbs10.2.4Conditional: 'Hacer'10.2.5Conditional: 'Decir'10.2.6Irregular Verbs: Deleting an 'E' before the ‘R'10.2.7Irregular Verbs: Adding 'DR' to the Stem10.2.8Irregular Verbs: Adding an 'R' to the Stem10.2.9Uses of the Conditional
10.3

Continuous Tenses

10.3.1'AR', 'ER' & 'IR' Gerunds10.3.2Changes to the Gerund10.3.3Changes to the Stem10.3.4Present Continuous - Regular Gerunds10.3.5Present Continuous - Irregular Gerunds10.3.6Uses of the Present Continuous10.3.7Imperfect Continuous - Regular Gerunds10.3.8Imperfect Continuous - Irregular Gerunds
10.4

Perfect Tense

10.4.1'AR', 'ER' & 'IR' Past Participles10.4.2Irregular Past Participles (1/2)10.4.3Irregular Past Participles (2/2)10.4.4Present Perfect10.4.5Irregular Present Perfect10.4.6Uses of the Present Perfect10.4.7Pluperfect10.4.8Irregular Pluperfect
10.5

Passive

10.5.1Forming the Passive with 'Se'10.5.2Forming the Passive Voice with 'Ser'
10.6

Present Subjunctive

10.6.1Present Subjunctive: Regular 'AR' Verbs10.6.2Present Subjunctive: Regular 'ER' Verbs10.6.3Present Subjunctive: Regular 'IR' Verbs10.6.4Irregular 'AR' Verbs: Radical Changing 'AR' Stems10.6.5Irregular 'AR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'GAR'-'GU'10.6.6Irregular 'AR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'CAR'-'QU'10.6.7Irregular 'AR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'ZAR'-'C'10.6.8Irregular 'AR' Verbs: 'Estar'10.6.9Irregular 'AR' Verbs: 'Dar'10.6.10Irregular 'ER' Verbs: Radical Changing Stems10.6.11Irregular 'ER' Subjunctive10.6.12Irregular ER Verbs: Spelling Changes 'GER'-'J'10.6.13Irregular 'ER' Verbs: No Pattern10.6.14Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Radical Changing Stems10.6.15Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Adding a 'G'10.6.16Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Verbs Ending in 'ducir'10.6.17Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Verbs Ending in 'uir'10.6.18Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'GIR'-'J'10.6.19Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'GUIR'-'G'10.6.20Irregular 'IR' Verbs: 'Ir'10.6.21Subjunctive Uses (1/2)10.6.22Subjunctive Uses (2/2)
10.7

Imperfect Subjunctive

10.7.1Imperfect Subjunctive: 'AR' Verbs10.7.2Imperfect Subjunctive: Irregular 'AR'10.7.3Imperfect Subjunctive: Regular 'ER'10.7.4Imperfect Subjunctive: Irregular 'ER'10.7.5'ER' Verbs : Strong Preterites10.7.6Imperfect Subjunctive: 'IR' Verbs10.7.7Imperfect Subjunctive: Irregular 'IR'10.7.8'IR' Verbs: 'Strong Preterites'
10.8

Imperative

10.8.1Positive Imperative10.8.2Negative Imperative10.8.3Irregular Imperatives
11

Extra Grammar

11.1

Articles

11.1.1Definite Article11.1.2Uses of the Definite Article11.1.3Indefinite Article11.1.4Uses of the Indefinite Article11.1.5Lo + Adjective
11.2

Negatives

11.2.1Negatives (1/2)11.2.2Negatives (2/2)11.2.3Just the 'Nada' Bit
11.3

Nouns

11.3.1Gender of Nouns for People & Animals11.3.2Nouns that Stay the Same11.3.3Nouns that Only Take One Article11.3.4Masculine vs Feminine Nouns11.3.5Masculine Exceptions11.3.6Feminine Exceptions11.3.7Noun Endings that Are Usually Feminine11.3.8Noun Endings that Are Usually Masculine11.3.9Masculine Nouns11.3.10Masculine and Feminine Nouns: Different Meanings11.3.11Plural: Nouns that End in a Vowel11.3.12Plural: Nouns that End in a Consonant
11.4

Asking Questions

11.4.1Asking Questions Without Question Words11.4.2Question Words (1/2)11.4.3Question Words (2/2)11.4.4Common Questions (1/2)11.4.5Common Questions (2/2)
11.5

Adjectives

11.5.1Adjectives that Change Endings11.5.2Adjectives that Remain the Same11.5.3Adjectives: 'Grande' and 'Bueno'11.5.4Plural: Ending in a Consonant11.5.5Plural: Ending in a Vowel11.5.6Superlative: The Best, The Worst11.5.7Adjectives Ending in '-ísimo/ísima'11.5.8This, These, That and Those11.5.9Possession: Before a Noun11.5.10Possesion: After a Noun11.5.11Possesion: Whose11.5.12Indefinites (1/2)11.5.13Indefinites (2/2)
11.6

Adverbs

11.6.1Adverbs with '-mente'11.6.2Adverbs of Degree & Manner11.6.3Common Phrases with Adverbs: Quantity11.6.4Common Phrases with Adverbs: Place11.6.5Common Phrases with Adverbs: Time11.6.6Common Phrases with Adverbs: Frequency11.6.7Adverbs: Still & Yet11.6.8Adverbs: No11.6.9Adverbial Phrases11.6.10Adverbs Ending in '-ísimo/ísima'
11.7

Conjunctions

11.7.1What are Conjunctions?11.7.2Some Common Conjunctions11.7.3Connectors
11.8

Pronouns

11.8.1Demonstrative Pronouns11.8.2Possessive Pronouns11.8.3Indefinites: 'Algo' & 'Alguien'11.8.4Indefinites: 'Alguno' & 'Cualquiera'11.8.5Reflexive Pronouns11.8.6Direct Object11.8.7Direct Object: Position11.8.8Indirect Object11.8.9Pronouns After Prepositions (1/2)11.8.10Pronouns After Prepositions (2/2)11.8.11Relative Pronouns: 'Que' & 'Quien'11.8.12Relative Pronouns: 'El Que' & 'El Cual'11.8.13Relative Pronouns: 'Lo Que' & 'Lo Cual'
11.9

Prepositions

11.9.1By, With, From, Of11.9.2'A' & 'De'11.9.3For - 'Para'11.9.4For - 'Por'11.9.5'Desde Hace' with Present & Imperfect
11.10

Verbs

11.10.1Derivatives11.10.25 Common 'AR' Derivatives11.10.35 Common 'ER' Derivatives11.10.45 Common 'IR' Derivatives11.10.5Reflexives Verbs11.10.66 Common Reflexive 'AR' Verbs11.10.76 Common Reflexive 'ER' Verbs11.10.86 Common Reflexive 'IR' Verbs
11.11

Comparisons & Superlative

11.11.1Adjectives for Comparing Things11.11.2Adjectives that Change for Comparing11.11.3Comparing with Adverbs11.11.4Superlative
11.12

Numbers, Expressions of Quantity, Dates & Times

11.12.1Set Expressions11.12.2Numbers (1-20)11.12.3Numbers (11-20)11.12.4Numbers (21 - 100)11.12.5Numbers (30-100)11.12.6Parties11.12.7Ordinal Numbers & Fractions

Practice questions on Gender of Nouns for People & Animals

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    How do you say 'the champion' in Spanish?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Lucía trabaja como 'teacher' en una escuela. <br><br>¿Cuál es la forma correcta en español para referirse a su profesión?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Marco acaba de conocer a una chica llamada Ana, y quiere presentarla a su familia.<br><br> ¿Cuál es la forma correcta para decir que Ana es 'the ballet dancer' para hablar de su profesión?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    En un documental sobre animales salvajes, aparece 'el oso' y también un oso hembra (femenino).<br><br> ¿Cuál es la forma común femenina de la palabra 'oso'?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    En una entrevista, una periodista habla de una política que lidera su partido.<br><br> ¿Qué artículo y forma son correctos para referirse a ella?Multiple choice
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Just the 'Nada' Bit

Nouns that Stay the Same