Learn About Nouns in Spanish
This page provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and using nouns in Spanish. Includes examples and exercises.
curva
curve
The Spanish term 'curva' translates to 'curve' in English. It can be used in a variety of contexts such as in mathematics to describe the graphical representation of a function, in geography to denote a bend in a road, river, or path, or in sports to specify a ball that is thrown in a direction that is not a straight line. Essentially, 'curva' is used when talking about anything that is not straight, or has a bend or turn.
Example sentences with curva →dar calor
heat
The Spanish phrase 'dar calor' translates to 'to give heat' in English. However, it's also used idiomatically to express the idea of making a place or situation uncomfortably or unpleasantly warm. To understand its use in context, let's consider this sentence - 'El sol daba calor a la habitación', which translates to 'The sun was heating up the room'. In this usage, it's not about transferring heat, but rather the sun causing the room to become warm.
datos
data
The English word 'data' is translated into Spanish as 'datos'. It is generally used in the context of information, facts, statistics, or details that are gathered and used for analysis and reasoning. For example: ¿Dónde están los datos? translates to Where is the data?
Example sentences with datos →debate
debate
The word 'debate' in Spanish translates directly to 'debate' in English. It is used to describe a formal discussion or argument, typically in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are advocated. It can also refer to a discussion of a specific topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which the participants present and discuss their views on the topic.
debilidad
weakness
The Spanish word 'debilidad' translates to 'weakness' in English. It can be used to express physical weakness, such as in the case of a person or animal that is not strong, or when someone is not well due to illness. It can also imply emotional or moral weakness, suggesting that someone could easily be persuaded or influenced. Furthermore, 'debilidad' could be applied in the context of a structure or system being likely to fail or collapse, highlighting a lack of strength or robustness.
Example sentences with debilidad →decisión
decision
The Spanish word 'decisión' is a direct translation of the English word 'decision'. It is used in any context where a choice or resolution after consideration is discussed. Like in English, it can be used to refer to personal, professional, or political decisions.
Example sentences with decisión →declaración
statement
The word 'declaración' in Spanish translates to 'statement' in English. It is most commonly used in the legal and financial fields, similar to English. For example, one might give a 'declaración' to the police (statement to the police) or file a 'declaración de impuestos' (tax statement). However, it's also used in daily conversation much like in English, possibly to describe a declaration or statement made by a person about a particular matter.
Example sentences with declaración →dedicación
dedication
'Dedicación' refers to the quality of being dedicated or committed to a task or purpose. In the context of learning, it refers to committing time and effort to studying.
Example sentences with dedicación →dedo
finger
The Spanish word 'dedo' translates to 'finger' in English. In both languages, this word refers to each of the five digits extending from the palm of the hand, specifically the four phalanges (long tubular bones) and the thumb, which is slightly different in structure. In Spanish, the plural of 'dedo' is 'dedos'. The word can also be used in various expressions or phrases, such as 'levantar el dedo' which translates to 'raise a finger', or 'no mover un dedo' which means 'not lift a finger'.
demanda
demand
The Spanish word 'demanda' translates to 'demand' in English. It is commonly used in business and legal contexts, referring to a strong request or need for something. For instance, in economics, it is the quantity of goods or services that consumers are willing and able to purchase at various prices. In law, it refers to a formal accusation or legal proceeding.
demócrata
democrat
The Spanish word for 'democrat' is 'demócrata'. It is used in the same context as in English, typically referring to a member of or believer in the Democratic political party. However, it can also mean a person who believes in or supports democracy, the system of government where power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.
Example sentences with demócrata →departamento
department
The Spanish word 'departamento' translates to 'department' in English. This word can be used in various contexts, such as a department in a company (El departamento de ventas = The sales department), a department in a university (El departamento de psicología = The psychology department), or even referring to regions in certain Spanish-speaking countries (Departamento de Antioquia = Department of Antioquia in Colombia).
Example sentences with departamento →deporte
sport
The word 'deporte' in Spanish translates to 'sport' in English. Its usage is similar to English, being used to talk about physical activities in which individuals or teams compete against each other. For example, 'Futbol es un deporte popular en España' translates to 'Football is a popular sport in Spain'. Like in English, the noun 'deporte' can also be used in general to discuss the concept of physical exercise and activity.
Example sentences with deporte →desafío
challenge
The Spanish translation for 'challenge' is 'desafío'. 'Desafío' can be used in any context where the English word 'challenge' applies. For example, it can be used to refer to a difficult task that tests someone's abilities or to challenge a person on their abilities or knowledge. Like 'challenge', 'desafío' can also be used to denote a call to prove or justify something.
Example sentences with desafío →desarrollo
development
The Spanish word 'desarrollo' is used in contexts similar to the English word 'development'. It could describe growth or advancement in various circumstances, such as physical, emotional, or intellectual development, as well as economic or infrastructural progression. The use of 'desarrollo' can be found across many areas including personal growth, social sciences, technology, and business sectors.
Example sentences with desarrollo →desayuno
breakfast
The Spanish word 'desayuno' translates to 'breakfast' in English. This word is used to refer to the first meal of the day, typically consumed in the morning. It can include a range of foods, such as bread, fruit, eggs, and coffee in many cultures.
descanso
break
The Spanish word 'descanso' translates to 'break' in English. It is primarily used to refer to either a pause in work or activities for rest or relaxation or an interruption in continuity. For instance, in the context of work 'Voy a tomar un descanso', translates to 'I am going to take a break'. It's important to note that in some contexts, it may be translated differently so attention to the entire phrase or sentence is crucial.
Example sentences with descanso →descuento
discount
The Spanish word 'descuento' translates to 'discount' in English. It's a noun and refers to a reduction in the usual price of an item or service. You'll often come across this term in shopping contexts, where stores may offer a 'descuento' on a certain product, meaning they've reduced its normal price. It's commonly used in situations where items are on sale or when negotiating prices in marketplaces.
deseo
wish
The Spanish word 'deseo' can be used in a similar context as in English, to express a strong feeling of wanting something to happen or to express a desire for something. For example, 'Mi deseo es visitar España' which means, 'My wish is to visit Spain.' It is also commonly used in phrases to convey good wishes like 'Te deseo buena suerte' meaning 'I wish you good luck.'
Example sentences with deseo →desierto
desert
'Desierto' refers to a large, arid area with little to no vegetation, usually because of the low rainfall.
Example sentences with desierto →desodorante
deodorant
The Spanish word 'desodorante' translates to 'deodorant' in English. It is a substance that one applies to the body to prevent or mask the smell of perspiration. It can come in various forms such as sticks, sprays, roll-ons, and even natural versions. The equivalent word in Spanish is 'desodorante'.
Example sentences with desodorante →destino
destination
'Destino', meaning 'destination', is a place to which someone is going or an endpoint of a trip.
Example sentences with destino →detalle
detail
The word 'detalle' in Spanish is similar to 'detail' in English. It could refer to a specific or minute element of something or a fact that is small or less important. It is also used to refer to a small act of kindness or a gift. Depending the sentence where it is used, 'detalle' can also have the meaning of paying attention to or noting small things with care and concern.
Example sentences with detalle →diagnóstico
diagnosis
The Spanish word 'diagnóstico' is translated into English as 'diagnosis'. It is often used in the medical field, meaning the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
Example sentences with diagnóstico →diapositiva
slide
The word 'diapositiva' in Spanish is translated to 'slide' in English. It is a noun that can refer to numerous types of slides. For instance, 'diapositiva' may refer to a physical slide in a playground or a picture in a slideshow. In a broader context, the term might be used to identify a transparent picture which is displayed by a projector. Similarly, in computing, 'diapositiva' can refer to a single page in a digital presentation.
dibujo
drawing
The Spanish word 'dibujo' translates to 'drawing' in English. This term is widely used in artistic contexts to refer to either an activity involving creating visual art, usually with the use of pencils, pens, crayons, etc., or the piece of art produced by this activity. Additionally, 'dibujo' can be used metaphorically or in a broader sense to refer to the layout or design of something, much like how 'drawing' is utilized in English.
Example sentences with dibujo →dietético
diet
The Spanish word 'dietético' translates to 'diet' in English. It is an adjective that is commonly used in context related to food and nutrition. This word is often found in health and wellness conversations, as well as in stores and markets, usually to describe food products that are specially produced or prepared for a specific dietary requirement. For example, a food item labeled as 'producto dietético' would be a 'diet product' in English.
Example sentences with dietético →diferencia
difference
The Spanish word 'diferencia' translates to 'difference' in English. It is used in similar contexts as in English, to convey the idea of distinction or contrast between two or more things. It can be used both in a tangible and intangible context, similar to its English counterpart.
Example sentences with diferencia →dinero
money
The Spanish word for 'money' is 'dinero'. It is used in many of the same contexts as the word 'money' in English. For example, in Spanish, you might say 'No tengo dinero' which translates to 'I have no money' in English. Like English, 'dinero' is an uncountable noun in Spanish, so it does not have a plural form.
Example sentences with dinero →dirección
address
The Spanish term 'dirección' translates into English as 'address'. This could refer to a residential or business location. It is used in a similar context as in English, for identifying a specified place or arrangement of a building or a place on a map. An example of usage can be '¿Cuál es tu dirección?', translating to 'What's your address?'.