Gender & Number
Spanish nouns are eithermasculineorfeminine. This is calledgender.
- Masculine nouns often end in-o(e.g.,el libro).
- Feminine nouns often end in-a(e.g.,la casa).
There are also nouns with other endings and some that do not follow the rules — these must be memorized.
Nouns can besingular(one) orplural(more than one). This is callednumber.
- To make a noun plural, add-sif it ends in a vowel (e.g.,libros).
- Add-esif it ends in a consonant (e.g.,papeles).
Articles (the, a) and adjectives (describing words) must match the noun in gender and number.
- el(masculine singular),la(feminine singular)
- los(masculine plural),las(feminine plural)
- un(masculine),una(feminine)
This agreement is very important for correct grammar.
Gender
Masculine
Most nouns ending in-oare masculine.
Feminine
Most nouns ending in-aare feminine.
Other endings
Some nouns end in other letters. Here are common patterns:
- Masculine:-ma,-s,-e
- Feminine:-ción,-sión,-dad,-tad,-umbre
Gender exceptions
Some nouns do not follow the rules and must be memorized.
Masculine and feminine pairs
Some nouns have different forms for masculine and feminine to refer to male and female.
Number
Singular
The singular form refers to one item.
Plural
The plural form refers to more than one item.
- Add-sif the noun ends in a vowel.
- Add-esif the noun ends in a consonant.
- For nouns ending in-z, changeztocand add-es.
Plural articles
The definite article changes tolos(masculine) orlas(feminine) in plural.
Adjective Agreement
Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe.
Gender
- Masculine singular:-o(e.g.,libro rojo)
- Feminine singular:-a(e.g.,casa roja)
Number
- Masculine plural:-os(e.g.,libros rojos)
- Feminine plural:-as(e.g.,casas rojas)
Summary
- Nouns havegender: masculine or feminine.
- Nouns havenumber: singular or plural.
- Articles and adjectives must agree with the noun in gender and number.
- Plurals are formed by adding-sor-es.
- Some nouns have irregular endings or exceptions.
- Gender agreement is important for clear and correct Spanish.
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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025