DELE A1 Guide: Gender of Nouns in Spanish
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Want to practice first? Try a General Nouns Quiz!
Key Takeaways
- Learn masculine and feminine noun patterns and endings
- Master definite articles (el, la) and indefinite articles (un, una)
- Understand basic gender agreement rules with adjectives
- Essential for DELE A1 sentence construction and vocabulary
Welcome to your complete guide to Gender of Nouns in Spanish, a fundamental topic for the DELE A1 exam. Understanding noun gender is essential for building correct sentences and passing the writing and speaking sections.
What is Noun Gender in Spanish?
In Spanish, all nouns have a gender – they are either masculine or feminine. This affects the articles (el, la, un, una) and adjectives used with them. For the DELE A1 exam, you need to recognize and use basic gender patterns.
Spanish Noun Gender Patterns
Here are the basic patterns to identify masculine and feminine nouns. Save this chart for your studies!
Masculine Noun Endings
| Ending | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| -o | el libro | the book |
| -e | el clave | the key |
| -l | el papel | the paper |
| -r | el ordenador** | the computer |
| -s | el autobús | the bus |
Feminine Noun Endings
| Ending | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| -a | la mesa | the table |
| -d | la verdad | the truth |
| -z | la naríz | the nose |
| -s | la tos | the cough |
| -ción | la nación | the nation |
Definite and Indefinite Articles
Articles must match the gender of the noun. Here’s the complete guide:
Definite Articles (The)
| Gender | Singular | Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | el | los | el libro, los libros |
| Feminine | la | las | la mesa, las mesas |
Indefinite Articles (A/An)
| Gender | Singular | Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | un | unos | un libro, unos libros |
| Feminine | una | unas | una mesa, unas mesas |
DELE A1 Tip: Most nouns ending in -o are masculine, and most ending in -a are feminine. Start by memorizing these common patterns for the exam.
Common Exceptions and Special Cases
Some common nouns don’t follow the patterns. Here are important exceptions for DELE A1:
Common Masculine Exceptions
- el día (day)
- el mapa (map)
- el problema (problem)
- el tema (theme)
Common Feminine Exceptions
- la mano (hand)
- la foto (photo)
- la moto (motorcycle)
- la radio (radio)
Gender Agreement with Adjectives
Adjectives must match the noun’s gender. For DELE A1, focus on these basic rules:
- Masculine adjectives often end in -o: el libro rojo
- Feminine adjectives often end in -a: la mesa roja
- Adjectives ending in -e don’t change: el hombre inteligente, la mujer inteligente
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of Spanish noun gender?
Take our DELE A1 Gender of Nouns Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for articles? Study Definite and Indefinite Articles Next
- Need basic vocabulary? Learn Family Members Vocabulary
- Practice all A1 grammar? Take a Full A1 Grammar Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
