Gender in Spanish: An easy guide to masculine & feminine

Bienvenidos, Spanish learners! If your native language is English, the world of masculine and feminine in Spanish, and actually, in any Romance language, might be a total mystery to you. And, as a French person, I don’t blame you! After all, why would a table be feminine?

In this article, we’re exploring gender in Spanish in regards to nouns and adjectives. Understanding gender in Spanish, and any Latin language, is a fundamental and challenging step towards mastering the language. But don’t worry, we have you covered!

From the basics to modern inclusive language, you’ll know how and when to use the proper gender, so you don’t sound like Chad in Acapulco, and his legendary “Buenas nachos”!

¿Vamos?

Table of contents

• Basics of gender
• Identifying masculine and feminine nouns in Spanish
  • General rules for identifying masculine nouns
  • General rules for identifying feminine nouns
  • Common exceptions to the rules
• Gender agreement between nouns and adjectives in Spanish
  • Examples of gender agreement in Spanish
• Gender irregularities in Spanish
  • Nouns that change meaning with gender
  • Invariable nouns
  • Compound nouns
  • Pluralization and gender
• 10 Practical tips for learning and using gender
• Common mistakes to avoid while using masculine and feminine nouns in Spanish
• Gender and inclusive language in Spanish
• Conclusion

Basics of gender in Spanish

In Spanish, as you probably know, every noun is either masculine or feminine. This little twist adds a splash of excitement — or annoyance? — to learning the language. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no other way around it I’m afraid.

But don’t worry, we’re here to make it “pan comido”. Let's explore how gender works and why it's a key part of Spanish grammar.

Identifying masculine and feminine nouns in Spanish

General rules for identifying masculine nouns

We have maravillosas news! In Spanish, there are few tips to help you nail the right gender… at least most of the time! So, there you go:

• Masculine nouns often end in “-o.” Easy peasy, right?
• Masculine nouns also typically end in "-OR," with a few exceptions.
• Words ending in "-AJE" and "-AN" are usually masculine too.
• Numbers and colors also follow this trend.
• Days of the week and months of the year are masculine.
• Cardinal points, and most geographical-related nouns, are masculine.

Here are some examples to get you started:

Ending in -O

Ending in -OR

Ending in -AJE

Ending in -AN

Numbers and Colors

Days of the week

Months of the year

Cardinal points

Geographical-related nouns

General rules for identifying feminine nouns

Of course, the feminine has its rules too! Yeah, equality!

• Nouns ending in "-A" are generally feminine.
• Nouns ending in "-CIÓN," "-SIÓN," and "-ZÓN" are usually feminine.
• Words ending in "-DAD" and "-TAD" are typically feminine.
• Nouns ending in "-EZ" and "-TRIZ" are generally feminine.
• Words ending in "-TUD" and "-UMBRE" are usually feminine.
• The letters of the alphabet are all feminine and should take a feminine article.

Ending in -A

Ending in -CIÓN

Ending in -DAD

Ending in -TAD

Ending in -EZ

Ending in -TRIZ

Ending in -TUD

Ending in -UMBRE

Common exceptions to the rules

I know you’re super happy right now cause you totally figured out gender in Spanish… Well, I don’t mean to be a downer, but there are a few exceptions. What did you expect? It’s a Latin language, where would be the fun otherwise?

Below are a few of the most common exceptions to these rules.

Gender agreement between nouns and adjectives in Spanish

In Spanish, and again, like in any Latin language, adjectives must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the nouns they modify. For example, if a noun is masculine and singular, the adjective must also be masculine and singular. Similarly, if a noun is feminine and plural, the adjective must be feminine and plural.

Here are the general rules for gender agreement… with some exceptions, por supesto:

• Masculine Singular: Adjective usually ends in -o (e.g., "alto" for "tall").
• Feminine Singular: Adjective usually ends in -a (e.g., "alta" for "tall").
• Masculine Plural: Adjective usually ends in -os (e.g., "altos" for "tall").
• Feminine Plural: Adjective usually ends in -as (e.g., "altas" for "tall").

There are also adjectives that do not end in -o/-a and have the same form for both masculine and feminine nouns, but they still change for plural forms.

Examples of gender agreement in Spanish

Gender irregularities in Spanish

Nouns that change meaning with gender

In Spanish, certain nouns change their meaning depending on whether they are used in the masculine or feminine form. These nouns are known as gender irregularities. Here are five pairs of examples along with sample sentences for each, so you understand what I’m talking about!

Invariable nouns

OK, that’s a lot to remember! But don’t worry if you’re still not a fan of masculine and feminine in Spanish, the nouns below don’t change their form regardless of the gender of the person they refer to. These cool words are known as invariable nouns. They maintain the same form for both masculine and feminine references, with only the article changing to indicate the gender. Phew!

What about the sea

Yes, what about it? Well, the nouns "el mar" and "la mar" both refer to the sea in Spanish, but their usage and connotations can differ slightly.

• El mar: This is the more commonly used form to refer to the sea in a general, everyday context. It is considered the standard usage.

Example: El mar estaba muy tranquilo ayer. (The sea was very still yesterday.)

• La mar: This form is also correct and is often used in poetic or literary contexts. It can evoke a more emotional or nostalgic feeling. It is sometimes used by sailors and people who have a close relationship with the sea.

It’s also used in the expression “La mar de” (very).

Examples:

La mar siempre será fuente de inspiración para los pintores y poetas. (The sea will always be a source of inspiration for many painters and poets.)

Estoy la mar de contenta. (I’m very happy).

That being said, I live al lado del mar in Spain and I heard both in day to day conversations.

Compound nouns

Compound nouns in Spanish are typically masculine, regardless of the gender of their individual components. Great, but what’s a compound noun? Well, as its name suggests, it’s formed by combining two words to create a new noun with a specific meaning, like in the examples below:

Pluralization and gender

Somes nouns change gender when they become plural. Interesting, isn’t it? Here are examples of such weirdos!

Practical tips for learning and using gender

Learning and using the gender of nouns in Spanish can be challenging due to the rules and exceptions. But remember, it could be worse: there are 3 genders in German! And actually, Latin language has 3 genders as well!

Here are some practical tips to help you memorize and use noun genders in Spanish effectively:

1. Learn common endings

• Masculine endings: Nouns ending in -o, -ma, -pa, -ta, and most consonants are usually masculine (e.g., el libro, el problema, el mapa).
• Feminine endings: Nouns ending in -a, -ción, -sión, -dad, -tad, and -umbre are usually feminine (e.g., la casa, la canción, la ciudad). Refer to the tables above for more!

2. Use definite articles

Always learn nouns with their definite articles (el, la) to reinforce their gender (e.g., el árbol, la mesa).

3. Memorize exceptions

Be aware of common exceptions such as el día (day), la mano (hand), el sofá (couch), el planeta (planet), el mapa (map), el idioma (language), la moto (motorcycle), la foto (photography), la radio (raido), el agua (water)... Make a list of exceptions and review them often.

4. Practice with adjectives

Use adjectives in sentences to practice gender agreement (e.g., el coche rojo, la silla roja).

5. Learn by categories

Group nouns into categories to help remember their gender. For example, most fruits are feminine (e.g., la manzana, la pera), while many trees are masculine (e.g., el manzano, el peral). Go figure!

6. Listen, listen, listen

Listen to native speakers and pay attention to how they use genders. Repeat sentences to internalize the correct gender usage. The more you listen to native speakers, the easier it will get to remember genders naturally.

And if you don’t have Spanish speakers around you, watch TV! That’s a great way to learn without even realizing it, and you won’t get bored! My favorite show of the moment is Acapulco, a great mix of English and Spanish so you don’t get frustrated!

7. Use postits

I know, I know, it’s not very environmentally friendly. But you can stick a few sticky notes around the house to remember the gender of common things! La nevera, el horno, la puerta, el armario… you got me.

8. Create flashcards

If you’re more of a traditional learner, create good old flashcards with nouns and their genders. Test yourself regularly to reinforce your memory.

9. Read and write

Read books, articles, and other materials in Spanish. Write sentences or short paragraphs using new nouns and their correct genders.

10. Mnemonic devices

Use mnemonic devices to help remember genders. For example, associate the noun with an image, a character or a story that highlights its gender. Do you think glitter is very feminine? Awesome, because “purpurina” is feminine in gender! Speaking of which, did you know about the glitter-ban in the EU? ¡Esta nueva ley (feminine) es muy sorprendente!

Common mistakes to avoid while using masculine and feminine nouns in Spanish

The most common mistake to make when learning a new language is to think in your native language, or try to find an equivalent. It might work, but most of the time, it just doesn’t!

And gender is a great example, since English doesn’t have a gender for objects. Therefore, try to always learn the noun with its article (el/la). Think of it as giving the noun a proper name tag right from the start.

Another frequent error is mixing up similar nouns with different genders, like calling it "la mapa" instead of "el mapa." Spanish nouns can be sneaky like that. And then there’s the classic blunder of ignoring exceptions, leading to phrases like "la problema" instead of "el problema." Shall I mention the “no problemo” I hear everytime I go to the US? Yep, Spanish likes to keep you on your toes!

Let’s not forget the fun of matching adjectives to nouns. You don’t want to end up with "el coche roja" when it should be "el coche rojo." And those plural forms that change gender? Oh, joy!

If you do make mistakes though — and you should; it’s part of any learning process! —, it’s really not a big deal. As a French speaker, I find it super endearing when English speakers use the wrong gender! Really, it’s a good way to make amigos and amigas.

Gender and inclusive language in Spanish

And speaking of amigos AND amigas, in recent years, there has been a growing movement towards using inclusive language in Spanish to avoid gender bias and promote equality. The use of non-sexist language aims to create an environment that respects and acknowledges all genders, breaking away from traditional norms that often default to masculine forms. This shift not only fosters inclusivity but also reflects the diverse reality of our society. Below are a few guidelines, and you’ll find them all in this manual.

Use of gender-neutral terms

Whenever possible, use gender-neutral terms instead of gendered ones. For example, instead of "los alumnos" (the students), you can use "el alumnado" (the student body) or "las personas estudiantes" (the student people).

Double forms

Use both masculine and feminine forms to include all genders. This is often seen in written forms, such as "los/las estudiantes" or "amigos y amigas."

Gender-neutral pronouns and endings

Incorporate gender-neutral pronouns and endings. Some people seem very concerned about his! The use of "x" and "@" has become popular to avoid specifying gender. For instance, "amigx" or "amig@." Personnaly, I love it, but similar initiatives were not well received in France…

Avoid gendered expressions

Rephrase sentences to avoid gendered expressions entirely. For example, instead of "el hombre promedio" (the average man), use "la persona promedio" (the average person).

You delved into the colorful, occasionally frustrating world of Spanish gender, and now it's time to shine! As for any learning process, consistent practice is key. Soon, those tricky genders will become second nature — with a few funny slip-ups along the way!

Conquering gender in Spanish sets you apart from the crowd. Where many English speakers struggle, you'll breeze through conversations, effortlessly using "el" and "la" like a pro.

So, keep at it, stay motivated, and most importantly, enjoy the journey! Each time you get "el" or "la" right, it's a small victory (pequeña/pequeño victoria?) Did you get this right? ¡Bien hecho!

Keep up the free Spanish vocabulary lesson fun on our Spanish blog here.