Spanish Instruction
gender of nouns
52/365
miércoles, 17 de mayo de 2017
¡Hola!
Yesterday we did the articles in Spanish: definite = the & indefinite = a, an, and some, and we learned how to make words plural.
Today we will continue the practice and discussion on the gender of nouns.
a noun is:
a person
a place or
a thing
Since masculine and feminine don’t exist in English, let’s start with people and animals. This is easier to understand.
Natural gender – refers to people, occupations, nationalities and animals
As English speakers, it’s hard for us to think that a radio or a sofa is masculine and a chair or a week is feminine, however, if you have a male dog or a female dog, it makes sense that it is masculine or feminine.
Remember from yesterday…
el
los
un
unos
are masculine and that
la
las
una
unas
are feminine.
It makes sense that words that refer to a male are masculine.
el doctor – the doctor
los hombres – the men
un perro – a dog
unos amigos – some friends
el mesero – the waiter
It makes sense that words that refer to a female are feminine.
la doctora – the doctor
las mujeres– the women
una perra – a dog
unas amigas – some friends
la mesera – the waitress
With many of the above words, the ending changes to an “a” to indicate feminine or a woman, but the words below don’t change endings,
rather the article in front tells you if it is a man or a woman.
el dentista or la dentista
un artista or una artista
el paciente or la paciente
un estudiante or una estudiante
In Spanish if it is a group of both men and women, use the masculine, plural form.
los amigos de Juana – Juana’s friends
los estudiantes en mi clase – the students in my class
unos banqueros trabajan en un banco – some bankers work in a bank
los residentes en la comunidad – the residents in the community
With animals the same occurs. Change the ending to an “a” to indicate a female and use the masculine plural to talk about animals in general.
un gato – a cat
una gata
los elefantes
los osos – bears
Some do have their own word:
un gallo – a rooster
una gallina – a hen
Action steps: In your notebook take notes about today’s session.
If this is new for you, just observe and keep your eyes open to this around you.
Leave me a note and let me know how you are doing or if you have any questions.
Gracias y hasta mañana,
Carolina
