Spanish has traditionally used the masculine plural as a default to refer to mixed groups of males and females. Even if there are 999 females in a group and one male, masculine plural takes precedence. This is because, while the masculine plural form may refer just to males, down the centuries it has also been used to denote all the members in the category.
Learning Spanish: How the language is evolving Read Post »
It’s another occasion to go pottering about among some similar-looking Spanish words, unearthing how they are typically used and cracking apart the differences between them and some other terms. Our main subjects today are cerámica and cerámico.
Spanish words of the week: cerámica or cerámico? Read Post »
Sometimes potentially confusable Spanish nouns seem intent on scrambling heads or causing a riot. To find out if that’s the case with ‘revuelta’ and ‘revuelto’, read on.
Spanish words of the week: revuelta or revuelto? Read Post »
Time to celebrate two more similar-looking Spanish words, to examine how they are used and, in passing, to prise apart some synonyms. Today’s pair are ‘retirada’ and ‘retirado’.
Spanish words of the week: retirada or retirado? Read Post »
Today we’re back counting up and setting out the differences in usage between more similar-looking Spanish nouns, and this time it’s a trio: costo, coste and costa.
Spanish words of the week: costo, coste or costa? Read Post »
It’s that time of the week when we put the commonest uses of similar-looking Spanish words under the microscope. Today it’s the turn of óptica and óptico.
Spanish words of the week: óptica or óptico? Read Post »
For once there’s no avoiding getting technical as we get to grips with the commonest senses of another pair of similar-looking Spanish words: técnico and técnica.
Spanish words of the week: técnico or técnica? Read Post »
On the examination table today are another two similar-looking Spanish words baring their uses and differences. These are veterinario (masculine) and veterinaria (feminine).
Spanish words of the week: veterinario or veterinaria? Read Post »
It’s that time of the week when we shine some light on the commonest uses of similar-looking Spanish words. Today it’s the turn of rayo and raya.
Spanish words of the week: rayo or raya? Read Post »
