Nouns: Declension

01

Identifying Masculine Nouns

While there are exceptions, certain endings are strong indicators of masculine nouns.

Nouns ending in -o

This is the most common indicator of a masculine noun.

• El perro está en el jardín.

  The dog is in the garden.

• Necesito un vaso de agua.

  I need a glass of water.

Nouns ending in a consonant

Many nouns ending in consonants, particularly -l, -n, -r, and -s, are masculine.

• El hotel tiene una alberca.

  The hotel has a pool.

• El pan está fresco.

  The bread is fresh.

Common exceptions

Some common nouns ending in -a are masculine, often due to their Greek origin.

• El problema es muy complicado.

  The problem is very complicated.

• El mapa de México es grande.

  The map of Mexico is big.

• Es un día soleado.

  It's a sunny day.

02

Identifying Feminine Nouns

Feminine nouns also have common patterns that can help identify them.

Nouns ending in -a

This is the most frequent ending for feminine nouns.

• La casa es blanca.

  The house is white.

• La mesa está lista para la cena.

  The table is ready for dinner.

Nouns ending in -d, -z, or -ión

These endings almost always indicate a feminine noun.

• La ciudad de México es enorme.

  Mexico City is enormous.

• No veo con tan poca luz.

  I can't see with so little light.

• La canción es muy popular.

  The song is very popular.

Common exceptions

A few high-frequency nouns ending in -o are feminine.

• Lávate la mano.

  Wash your hand.

• Me gusta esa foto.

  I like that photo. (short for fotografía)

03

Nouns with Variable Gender

For many nouns referring to people's professions or roles, the gender is determined by the article (el or la), while the noun itself does not change. This is common for nouns ending in -e or -ista.

• El estudiante es muy inteligente.

  The (male) student is very smart.

• La estudiante es muy inteligente.

  The (female) student is very smart.

• Mi dentista es una mujer muy amable.

  My dentist is a very kind woman.

04

Forming the Plural

Making a noun plural follows a few straightforward rules based on its ending.

Nouns ending in a vowel

Simply add an -s.

• libro → libros

  books

• silla → sillas

  chairs

• Compré dos tacos al pastor.

  I bought two "al pastor" tacos.

Nouns ending in a consonant

Add -es.

• motor → motores

  engines

• pared → paredes

  walls

• Hay muchos árboles en el parque.

  There are many trees in the park.

Nouns ending in -z

Change the -z to a -c and add -es.

• pez → peces

  fish

• lápiz → lápices

  pencils

• Las actrices recibieron un premio.

  The actresses received an award.

Nouns ending in an unstressed vowel + s

For words ending in -s where the last syllable is not stressed (like days of the week), the singular and plural forms are the same. Only the article changes.

• el lunes → los lunes

  Monday → Mondays

• la crisis → las crisis

  the crisis → the crises

• Todos los martes voy al gimnasio.

  I go to the gym every Tuesday.