Gender Agreement with Spanish Nouns
Unlike English, every Spanish noun is masculine or feminine, and its article must agree. Here are the patterns that tell you which is which — plus how to form the plural.
Masculine nouns take el (singular) / los (plural). Feminine nouns take la / las.
el libro the book — masculine
la mesa the table — feminine
General rules for noun gender
| Masculine endings | Feminine endings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| -o | el libro – the book | -a | la mesa – the table |
| -ma | el poema – the poem | -ad | la oportunidad – the opportunity |
| other consonants | el reloj – the clock | -ción | la nación – the nation |
| other vowels | la clase – the class | ||
Of course, there are exceptions: el día (the day) and el mapa (the map) are masculine.
Making nouns plural
Articles change: el > los and la > las.
Nouns ending in a vowel — add -s
el libro > los libros the book > the books
la mesa > las mesas the table > the tables
Nouns ending in a consonant — add -es
el reloj > los relojes the clock > the clocks
la universidad > las universidades the university > the universities
Spelling change: -z > -ces
el lápiz > los lápices the pencil > the pencils
Accent change: drop the written accent in the plural
la lección > las lecciones the lesson > the lessons
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