Definition:
In both English and Spanish, a noun is a word that refers to and names a person, place, thing, concept, entity or action. Grammatically, a noun can serve as the subject of a sentence or the object of a verb or preposition. A noun can also be described by adjectives or replaced by pronouns.
In both English and Spanish, a noun can be classified as to number: either singular or plural. In Spanish, nouns also can be classified according to gender: masculine, feminine or (infrequently) neuter.
Term in Spanish:
sustantivo, nombre
Examples in Spanish:
computadora, Ricardo, Nueva York, felicidad, condado, fumar (can also function as a verb)
Corresponding examples in English:
computer, Richard, New York, happiness, county, smoking (can also function as a verb)
Related Resources:
Making Nouns Plural
When it comes to making singular nouns plural, Spanish has few exceptions to the rules.
Adjectives: Agreement with Nouns
Adjectives must match the nouns they refer to in both number and gender.
Plenitude of Plurals
If you know how to make nouns plural in English, you know how to much of the time in Spanish.
Gender: An Inherent Characteristic of Spanish Nouns
Just as maleness or femaleness is an inherent characteristic of human beings and most animals, so is gender an inherent characteristic of nouns in Spanish.
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