Noun Genders

Noun Genders

A certain noun (a person, place or thing) in Spanish is given a gender. Spanish has two, the masculine form and feminine form.

The “La” Words (Feminine)

All Spanish feminine words will be associated with the feminine article (our “the” in the English language): "La".

Here are a few instances of certain noun endings that make a noun feminine:

Words that end in “a,” “d,” “z,” “ión” and “umbre”:


Words ending in “a“La letraThe letter
a camaThe bed
La chicaThe girl
Words ending in “d” (including the “-dad,” “-tad,” “-tud” families)La felicidadHappiness
La virtudVirtue
La mitadMiddle
Words ending in “z” ( including the “-iz”, “-uz”, “-triz” and “ez” families)La narizThe nose
La luzThe light
La actrizThe actress
La calidezThe warmth
Words ending in “ión” (the “-cion,” “-sión,” “-gión” families)La canciónThe song
La mansiónThe mansion
La religiónThe religion
Words ending in “umbre”La costumbreThe habit
La cumbreThe summit
La legumbreThe legume (vegetable)

The “El” Words (Masculine)

All Spanish masculine words will follow the masculine article (our “the” in the English language): “El”.

In certain nouns, some of the words won‘t end in an -a or an -o, but will still give you a clue as to which direction you should go.

Here are a few masculine endings:

Words that end in “o,” “e,” accented vowels (á, é, í, ó, ú) and consonants (except “d,” “z” and the “ión” family) are masculine:


Words that end in “o”El teatroThe theater
El dormitorioThe bedroom
El chicoThe boy
Words that end in “e” (except “-umbre,” some “-ie” and “-ente”)El maquillajeThe makeup
El perfumeThe perfume
El estudianteThe student
Words that end with accented vowels (á, é, í, ó, ú)El sofáThe sofa
El caféThe coffee
El ajíThe garlic
El tabúhe taboo
Words that end in consonants (except “d,” “z” and the “ión” family)el árbolThe tree
el rumorThe rumor
el cojínThe cushion