Spanish Masculine Noun Endings
Singular masculine nouns take the definite article el or the indefinite article un.
Nouns that end in –o are usually masculine:
| el amigo |
the (male) friend |
| el banco |
the bank |
| un baño |
a bathroom |
| un clavo |
a nail |
Exceptions:
| la mano |
the hand |
| la moto(cicleta) |
the motorbike |
| una foto(grafía) |
a photograph |
NB moto and foto are feminine: even though they end with –o they are contractions of longer, feminine words.
Nouns that end in –l are usually masculine:
| el tonel |
the tunnel |
| un hotel |
a hotel |
Exceptions:
| la miel |
the honey |
| la sal |
the salt |
Nouns that end in –r are usually masculine:
| el tractor |
the tractor |
| un altar |
an altar |
Exceptions:
| la coliflor |
the cauliflower |
| una labor |
a task |
Nouns that end in –y are usually masculine:
| el rey |
the king |
| un buey |
an ox |