Repaso

In simple terms, nouns are used for things, people or places. In the present chapter we will be learning about el arte y la cultura of the city of San Antonio. Just to name some examples of nouns: el Alamo, los mariachis, la plaza, la misión, la Catedral, la danza folcklórica, el mercado, el paseo del río, etc.

Gender of nouns designating people

• Nouns designating people (and animals) usually have masculine and feminine forms.
• The use of the letter “x”  and the letter “e” in Spanish gendered nouns is to include individuals who use gender neutral pronouns and individuals who do not identify within the gender binary.
• A few nouns have irregular feminine forms. Ejemplo: el actor, la actriz. El rey, la reina.
• Other nouns are always of the same gender, whether they designate men or women. Ejemplo: una persona (a person), una víctima (a victim), la gente (the people).
• Some masculine nouns have corresponding feminine nouns that are totally different. Ejemplo: el hombre, la mujer, el yerno (son in-law), la nuera (daughter in-law).

  Masculine endings          Feminine endings           examples

  o                                            a                                    El/la Ingeniero (a), el/la modelo

  a                                            a                                    La/el artista

  e                                            e, a                                El/la cliente, el Presidente, la presidenta

  or                                          ora                                 El Doctor, la Doctora,

  an, ón, és                             ana, ona, esa                 El capitán, la capitana