Spanish · B2 · Everyday language
When describing words become people in Spanish
In Spanish, adjectives can easily function as nouns (nominalization) to refer to people by their characteristics. By placing an article like 'el', 'la', 'un', or 'una' before an adjective, you can refer to 'the person who is...' or 'someone who is...' without needing to add the word 'persona'. This is a common and sophisticated way to describe social roles, age groups, and participants.
What you'll learn
- Identify when an adjective is serving as a noun to refer to a person.
- Correctly apply gender and number agreement to nominalized adjectives.
- Use articles to turn descriptors like 'young' or 'known' into specific people.
Spanish phrases for when describing words become people
Un adulto tiene que firmar esta sección del formulario.
An adult needs to sign this section of the form.
Here 'adulto' functions as a noun, taking the indefinite article 'un'.
¿Podrías pedirle a un adulto que compruebe la dirección?
Could you ask an adult to check the address?
Note the use of 'le' as an indirect object pronoun referring to the adult.
Los jóvenes han organizado todo el evento ellos mismos.
The young people have organised the whole event themselves.
'Los jóvenes' is the standard way to say 'the young people'.
Estamos recogiendo las sugerencias de todos los participantes.
We're collecting the suggestions from all the participants.
'Participante' is a noun derived from a participle, following the same nominalization logic.
Un conocido mío dirige el club de ajedrez.
An acquaintance of mine runs the chess club.
'Conocido' literally means 'known [person]'.
Le di a nuestra conocida los detalles que anotaste.
I gave our acquaintance the details you wrote down.
Used 'conocida' to specify a female acquaintance.
El participante más joven tuvo la idea más original.
The youngest participant had the most original idea.
Spanish uses 'el más joven' for superlatives when referring to people.
Demos las gracias a los voluntarios antes de que se vayan a casa.
Let's thank the volunteers before they head home.
'Voluntario' functions as both an adjective and a noun.
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adulto/a
adult
Functions exactly like a noun but follows adjective agreement rules.
joven
young person
The plural is 'jóvenes' (requires an accent mark).
conocido/a
acquaintance
Past participle of 'conocer' used as a noun.
voluntario/a
volunteer
Refers to someone performing an action by choice.
Nominalization with Articles
To turn a Spanish adjective into a noun referring to a person, simply use the definite or indefinite article. Unlike English, you do not need to add words like 'man', 'woman', or 'one'. The gender of the article identifies the gender of the person.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | El + adjective | El joven (The young man) |
| Feminine Singular | La + adjective | La conocida (The female acquaintance) |
| Masculine Plural | Los + adjective | Los adultos (The adults / mixed group) |
More examples
El mayor de los hermanos es médico.
The eldest of the brothers is a doctor.
'El mayor' turns the adjective 'mayor' (older) into a noun.
Una desconocida llamó a la puerta.
A female stranger knocked at the door.
'Desconocida' is the nominalized adjective for 'unknown'.