Gender of nouns Notes #2 09/13/10

Gender=masculine or feminine In Spanish, all nouns have a gender. A noun is either masculine (male) or feminine (female) In Spanish, all nouns have a gender. A noun is either masculine (male) or feminine (female) We recognize the gender of each noun by the article we put before the noun. We recognize the gender of each noun by the article we put before the noun.

Definite articles The definite article in English is “the”. When we deal with singular nouns in Spanish, we place either “el” or “la” in front of the noun. The definite article in English is “the”. When we deal with singular nouns in Spanish, we place either “el” or “la” in front of the noun. Ex: El libro=the bookEx: La carpeta=the folder Ex: El libro=the bookEx: La carpeta=the folder General rule: For the most part, nouns that end in “a” have “la” in front and nouns that end in “o” have “el” in front. There are exceptions to this, for example “la mano”. General rule: For the most part, nouns that end in “a” have “la” in front and nouns that end in “o” have “el” in front. There are exceptions to this, for example “la mano”.

Indefinite articles Singular indefinite articles in English are “a” or “an”. In Spanish we place a “un” or “una” in front of the noun. Singular indefinite articles in English are “a” or “an”. In Spanish we place a “un” or “una” in front of the noun. Ex: Un libro=a book Ex: una carpeta=a folder Ex: Un libro=a book Ex: una carpeta=a folder General rule: For the most part, nouns that end in “a” have “una” in front and nouns that end in “o” have “un” in front. There are exceptions to this, for example “una mano”. General rule: For the most part, nouns that end in “a” have “una” in front and nouns that end in “o” have “un” in front. There are exceptions to this, for example “una mano”.

Words that do not end in “o” or “a” You will need to memorize the gender of words that do not end in either “o” or “a” You will need to memorize the gender of words that do not end in either “o” or “a” Ex: lápiz is a masculine noun, el lápiz Ex: lápiz is a masculine noun, el lápiz Ex: profesor is a masculine noun, el profesor Ex: profesor is a masculine noun, el profesor

Let’s practice! Please place “el” or “la” in front of each noun Please place “el” or “la” in front of each noun 1) ___ bolígrafo 1) ___ bolígrafo 2) ___ profesora 2) ___ profesora 3) ___ pupitre 3) ___ pupitre

Let’s practice! Please place “el” or “la” in front of each noun Please place “el” or “la” in front of each noun 1) _el__ bolígrafo 1) _el__ bolígrafo 2) _la_ profesora 2) _la_ profesora 3) _el__ pupitre 3) _el__ pupitre

Let’s practice! Please place “un” or “una” in front of each noun Please place “un” or “una” in front of each noun 1)____ cuaderno 1)____ cuaderno 2) ____ carpeta 2) ____ carpeta 3) ____ hoja de papel 3) ____ hoja de papel

Let’s practice! Please place “un” or “una” in front of each noun Please place “un” or “una” in front of each noun 1)_un_ cuaderno 1)_un_ cuaderno 2) _una_ carpeta 2) _una_ carpeta 3) _una_ hoja de papel 3) _una_ hoja de papel