It’s usually simple to distinguish between nouns that are masculine from those that are feminine based on their endings. Typically masculine nouns end in –
In this article, we’ll review nouns that are practically identical but have two separate meanings, one for the masculine form and the other for the feminine form. You will see how some noun meanings differ when gender changes.
Noun Meanings Differ When Gender Changes
Some nouns have masculine and feminine forms that are almost spelled the same. They have the same root but a small difference in their the ending: masculine nouns end in –
Fruit vs Fruit tree
You can distinguish some fruits from the tree thanks to the gender. The feminine form of the noun refers to the fruit while the masculine form refers to the tree on which it grows. Some examples are
Me encanta ese cuadro de manzanas de tu habitación.
I love that apple painting in your bedroom.
Mis padres plantaron un manzano en el jardín el año pasado.
My parents planted an apple tree in the garden last year.
La pulpa vs El pulpo
Lo más recomendable es comer la naranja con pulpa.
The most advisable thing is to eat the orange with pulp
El pulpo es un plato popular en la cocina gallega.
Octopus is a popular dish in Galician cuisine.
La caballa vs El caballo
Let’s continue seeing how noun meanings differ when gender changes in Spanish with two animals.
Me han recomendado comer más pescado azul, por ejemplo, caballa o salmón.
I have been recommended to eat more blue fish, for example, mackerel or salmon.
Los caballos comen tanta hierba como las vacas.
Horses eat as much grass as cows do.
La punta vs El punto
Ten cuidado con la punta del cuchillo.
Be careful with the tip of the knife.
Marca el punto en el mapa donde encontraste el tesoro.
Mark the point on the map where you found the treasure.
La pasta vs El pasto
Compro huevos y pasta en el supermercado.
I buy eggs and pasta in the supermarket.
Las vacas están pastando en el pasto.
The cows are grazing in the pasture.
La suela vs El suelo
La suela de estos zapatos es muy resistente.
The sole of these shoes is very durable.
No dejes tus juguetes en el suelo.
Don’t leave your toys on the floor.
La cuadra vs El cuadro
Te ayudaremos a construir una nueva cuadra. Los cerdos necesitan más espacio.
We will help you build a new pigsty. Pigs need more space.
El cuadro colgado en la sala es una obra de Picasso.
The painting hanging in the living room is a work by Picasso.
La manga vs El mango
Cuando se va el sol, si no llevo ropa de manga larga tengo frío.
When the sun goes down, if I do not wear long-sleeved clothes I am cold.
¿Puedes traer unas bebidas de mango, por favor?
Can you bring some mango drinks, please?
La bolsa vs El bolso
Pusimos todos nuestros objetos personales en una bolsa de plástico.
We put all our personal belongings into a plastic bag.
Hábilmente, la mujer que me robó el bolso huyó entre la multitud.
Skillfully, the woman who stole my purse ran away through the crowd.
La gorra vs El gorro
Let’s finish learning how noun meanings differ when gender changes with two accessories.
Pregunta si su gorra de los Yanquis está en mi casa.
He is asking if his Yankees baseball cap is in my house.
Es importante usar un gorro en invierno para mantenerse caliente.
It’s important to wear a hat in winter to stay warm.
Exercises
Now let’s do some exercises to practice how some noun meanings differ when gender changes in Spanish.