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A1 noun 13 min de lecture

la persona

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces la persona en 30 secondes

Explication la persona in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'la persona' is one of the first nouns students learn. It is used in its most basic sense to identify individuals. Students learn that 'una persona' can be anyone. The focus at this level is primarily on the grammatical gender of the word. Students are taught that even if they are talking about a boy or a man, they must use 'la persona'. Basic descriptions like 'una persona buena' (a good person) or 'una persona alta' (a tall person) are common. The plural 'personas' is used to count individuals, such as 'tres personas'. The emphasis is on simple identification and basic descriptive agreement.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'la persona' in more varied contexts, such as describing physical appearance and basic personality traits in more detail. They start using relative clauses, like 'la persona que tiene el pelo rubio' (the person who has blond hair). The concept of 'la gente' (the people) as a collective singular is introduced as a contrast to 'las personas' (the individuals). Students also learn common phrases like 'en persona' (in person), which allows them to talk about meeting someone face-to-face. The use of the 'personal a' with 'persona' becomes a focus, as in 'Conozco a esa persona'.

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By the B1 level, students use 'la persona' to express opinions and abstract thoughts. They might discuss what makes a 'buena persona' or 'mala persona' in a social or ethical context. The word starts appearing in more complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive: 'Busco a una persona que hable español' (I am looking for a person who speaks Spanish). Learners also begin to encounter the word in administrative or semi-formal contexts, such as 'la persona responsable' (the person in charge). They understand the nuance between using a specific name and using the general term 'persona' to maintain a certain level of distance or generality.

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At the B2 level, 'la persona' is used in academic and professional discussions. Students learn about 'la persona física' versus 'la persona jurídica' in legal or business contexts. They can discuss the 'derechos de la persona' (rights of the person) and use the word in sophisticated debates about society and individuality. The register becomes more important; students can distinguish between the informal 'tipo' and the standard 'persona'. They are comfortable with long sentences where 'la persona' is modified by multiple clauses and adjectives, maintaining perfect gender agreement throughout complex syntax.

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At the C1 level, the learner has a deep understanding of the stylistic uses of 'la persona'. They can use it to create specific rhetorical effects, such as emphasizing individuality in a philosophical essay. They are aware of the word's etymology and how it relates to the concept of a 'mask' (from the Latin 'persona'). They use synonyms like 'individuo', 'sujeto', or 'ser' with precision, choosing the one that best fits the desired tone. Their mastery of the word includes idiomatic expressions and the ability to use it in highly formal legal, medical, or technical documents without error.

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At the C2 level, the word 'la persona' is handled with native-like intuition. The speaker can navigate the most subtle nuances of the word, including its use in literary analysis to discuss 'la persona' as a narrative voice or a psychological construct. They understand the historical evolution of the term in Spanish law and philosophy. They can play with the word in creative writing, perhaps using its feminine gender to create poetic ambiguity. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a flexible tool for expressing the most complex aspects of human existence and social organization.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

la persona en 30 secondes

La persona is a feminine noun meaning 'person'. It is used for any human regardless of their gender, requiring feminine articles and adjectives.
It is common in daily life, legal contexts, and media. Examples include 'una buena persona' (a good person) and 'en persona' (in person).
Avoid the common mistake of saying 'el persona' for a male. Always use 'la' or 'una' and ensure adjective agreement.
Synonyms include 'individuo' (formal) and 'sujeto' (academic), while 'gente' is used for a collective group of people.

The word la persona is a cornerstone of the Spanish language, serving as the primary way to identify a human being as an individual unit. Unlike English, where 'person' is gender-neutral in usage but often lacks a grammatical gender requirement for accompanying words, the Spanish persona is strictly a feminine noun. This means that regardless of whether you are referring to a man, a woman, or a non-binary individual, you must always use the feminine article la and ensure that any adjectives describing the word persona itself are feminine. This concept is often a hurdle for English speakers who are used to matching grammatical gender with biological sex.

Individual Identity: When we use la persona, we are highlighting the singular existence of a human. It is the building block of social interaction and legal framework. In a crowd, you see many personas, each with their own unique traits and history.
Grammatical Invariance: It is crucial to remember that persona is always feminine. You would say 'Juan es una buena persona' (Juan is a good person), never 'un bueno persona'. The noun dictates the gender of the article and adjective, not the biological sex of the subject Juan.
Social Context: The term is used across all social strata. From the most formal legal proceedings where one discusses a persona física (natural person) to a casual conversation where someone is described as a persona increíble (incredible person), its versatility is unmatched.

Cada persona tiene el derecho a ser escuchada y respetada en su comunidad.

Translation: Every person has the right to be heard and respected in their community.

In terms of frequency, you will encounter la persona in almost every conversation that involves human behavior, ethics, or logistics. It is the subject of philosophical inquiry—what defines a person?—and the object of commercial targeting—how do we reach this person? Because Spanish often omits the subject pronoun, the word persona frequently appears to clarify exactly who is being discussed when 'él' or 'ella' might be ambiguous.

Es una persona muy inteligente que siempre encuentra soluciones creativas.

Translation: They are a very intelligent person who always finds creative solutions.

Conocí a una persona en el viaje que hablaba cinco idiomas perfectamente.

Translation: I met a person on the trip who spoke five languages perfectly.

Plurality: The plural form las personas is used when referring to a specific group of individuals. While la gente (the people) refers to a collective mass, las personas focuses on the individuals within that group.
Legal Standing: In legal Spanish, the term persona jurídica refers to a corporation or entity that has legal rights and duties, similar to a natural person.

La persona que busca trabajo debe presentar su currículum en la recepción.

Translation: The person looking for a job must present their resume at the reception.

No juzgues a una persona por su apariencia, sino por su corazón.

Translation: Do not judge a person by their appearance, but by their heart.

Using la persona correctly requires a firm grasp of Spanish noun-adjective agreement. Because persona is feminine, it acts as an anchor for the rest of the sentence. This section explores the structural nuances of integrating this word into various syntactic environments, from simple descriptions to complex relative clauses. Understanding these patterns will prevent common errors and make your Spanish sound more natural and sophisticated.

Subject of the Sentence: When la persona is the subject, it usually requires a definite or indefinite article. For example: 'Una persona llamó a la puerta' (A person knocked on the door). Notice how 'una' and 'persona' create a feminine subject block.
Direct Object and the 'Personal A': In Spanish, when the direct object of a verb is a specific person, we use the 'personal a'. Example: 'Veo a la persona' (I see the person). However, if the person is non-specific, the 'a' is sometimes omitted, though with the word 'persona', it is almost always included due to its inherent human nature.
Relative Clauses: Using 'que' after persona is very common to provide more information. 'La persona que vive allí es mi tía' (The person who lives there is my aunt). This structure allows for detailed identification in a sentence.

Esa persona es responsable de todo el proyecto de construcción.

Translation: That person is responsible for the entire construction project.

One of the most frequent uses of la persona is in the construction 'ser + [adjective] + persona'. This is a standard way to describe someone's character. 'Él es una persona generosa' (He is a generous person). Even though the subject is 'él' (he), the adjective 'generosa' remains feminine because it is modifying 'persona'. This is a fundamental rule that separates beginners from intermediate learners. If you master this, you avoid one of the most jarring mistakes in spoken Spanish.

Buscamos a una persona con experiencia en ventas internacionales.

Translation: We are looking for a person with experience in international sales.

Cualquier persona puede participar en el concurso de fotografía.

Translation: Any person can participate in the photography contest.

Prepositional Phrases: 'Persona' often follows prepositions like 'para', 'por', or 'con'. 'Este regalo es para una persona especial' (This gift is for a special person). The logic of gender agreement remains consistent here.
Quantifiers: Words like 'muchas', 'pocas', or 'algunas' must also be feminine when quantifying 'personas'. 'Había pocas personas en la reunión' (There were few people in the meeting).

Es la primera persona que llega a la oficina todas las mañanas.

Translation: They are the first person to arrive at the office every morning.

Necesito a una persona que me ayude a traducir este documento.

Translation: I need a person to help me translate this document.

The word la persona is ubiquitous, appearing in contexts ranging from high-stakes legal environments to the most intimate family gatherings. Unlike some words that are restricted to specific registers, persona is a universal term. In this section, we will explore the various 'habitats' of this word and how its meaning can subtly shift depending on where it is spoken or written.

News and Media: In journalism, la persona is used to report on individuals involved in news stories without necessarily identifying them by name immediately. You might hear: 'Una persona resultó herida en el accidente' (One person was injured in the accident). It provides a neutral, factual way to refer to individuals.
Legal and Administrative Settings: This is where the word takes on its most technical forms. Terms like persona física (natural person) and persona jurídica (legal entity) are standard in contracts and courtrooms. It defines who has rights and responsibilities under the law.
Daily Life and Gossip: In casual conversation, persona is often used to describe someone's vibe or character. 'Es una persona muy cerrada' (They are a very closed/private person). It serves as a polite way to discuss personality traits.

La policía está buscando a una persona de interés para el caso.

Translation: The police are looking for a person of interest for the case.

In literature and film, the word is used to explore the human condition. A protagonist might struggle with being 'una persona diferente' (a different person) after a traumatic event. In music, particularly in ballads and boleros, la persona often refers to a lost love or a significant other. The emotional weight of the word can be quite high in these artistic contexts, emphasizing the unique impact one individual can have on another's life.

Es una persona muy conocida en el mundo del arte contemporáneo.

Translation: They are a very well-known person in the world of contemporary art.

Toda persona tiene una historia que merece ser contada.

Translation: Every person has a story that deserves to be told.

Customer Service: When calling a company, you might hear: 'Si desea hablar con una persona, marque el cero' (If you wish to speak with a person, press zero). Here, it distinguishes a human operator from an automated system.
Medical Contexts: Doctors use it to refer to patients in a holistic way, often discussing 'la persona en su totalidad' (the person as a whole) rather than just a set of symptoms.

¿Hay alguna persona aquí que hable inglés?

Translation: Is there any person here who speaks English?

Es la persona más amable que he conocido en toda mi vida.

Translation: They are the kindest person I have met in my entire life.

Even though la persona seems straightforward, it is a frequent source of errors for English speakers. These mistakes usually stem from trying to apply English logic to Spanish grammar or from a misunderstanding of the word's inherent gender. Recognizing these pitfalls is the first step toward achieving fluency and avoiding the 'gringo' accent in your grammar.

The 'El Persona' Trap: This is the most common mistake. Beginners often think that if they are talking about a man, they should say 'el persona'. This is incorrect. Persona is always feminine. You must say 'la persona' even if the person is a 250-pound male weightlifter.
Adjective Mismatch: Following the gender trap, learners often use masculine adjectives with persona when referring to a male. 'Él es una persona alto' is wrong; it must be 'Él es una persona alta'. The adjective matches the noun persona, not the person's gender.
Confusing 'Persona' with 'Gente': While 'people' in English is plural, la gente in Spanish is singular. Learners often say 'la gente son' when it should be 'la gente es'. Conversely, they might use 'persona' when they should use 'gente' to describe a general group.

*Él es un persona muy bueno. (Incorrect)

Correct: Él es una persona muy buena.

Another subtle mistake involves the use of the word 'personaje'. In English, 'character' can mean a person's moral fiber or a person in a book. In Spanish, personaje is used for fictional characters, while persona is used for real human beings. Don't call your friend a 'personaje' unless you mean they are a 'character' in the sense of being eccentric or funny, which is a more informal use.

*Hay muchos personas en la calle. (Incorrect)

Correct: Hay muchas personas en la calle.

*Esa persona es mi amigo. (Grammatically shaky)

While often said, 'Esa persona es mi amiga' is more consistent, though 'amigo' is allowed if the person is male. However, 'Esa persona es simpática' must be feminine.

Overusing 'Persona': Sometimes English speakers use 'persona' where Spanish would simply use a pronoun or a more specific noun like 'hombre', 'mujer', or 'alguien'. Over-reliance on 'persona' can make your speech sound repetitive or overly formal.
The 'Personal A' Omission: Forgetting to say 'Busco a una persona' and instead saying 'Busco una persona' is a common error. Since a person is a human, the 'a' is usually required when they are the direct object of the verb.

*¿Quién es ese persona? (Incorrect)

Correct: ¿Quién es esa persona?

*Es una persona muy serio. (Incorrect)

Correct: Es una persona muy seria.

While la persona is the most common way to refer to a human being, Spanish offers a rich variety of alternatives that can change the tone, specificity, or register of your sentence. Knowing when to use 'individuo' instead of 'persona' can elevate your Spanish from basic to advanced. This section compares persona with its closest relatives in the Spanish lexicon.

Persona vs. Individuo: While persona is warm and general, individuo is more clinical or detached. It is often used in scientific, police, or sociological contexts. 'El individuo fue visto huyendo' sounds like a police report, whereas 'La persona fue vista huyendo' sounds like a witness statement.
Persona vs. Gente: As mentioned before, gente is a collective singular noun. Use persona for one and personas for a countable group. Use gente for an amorphous group. 'Hay mucha gente' (There are many people/a lot of folk) vs. 'Hay diez personas' (There are ten people).
Persona vs. Sujeto: 'Sujeto' is often used in legal or academic writing to refer to a participant in a study or a party in a contract. In slang, it can also mean 'guy' or 'fellow', often with a slightly suspicious or derogatory undertone: 'Ese sujeto me da mala espina' (That guy gives me a bad feeling).

El ser humano es capaz de grandes hazañas y terribles errores.

Translation: The human being is capable of great feats and terrible mistakes. (Used for the species/humanity).

Another important distinction is ser humano. This is the equivalent of 'human being'. It is used when discussing humanity at large, biology, or philosophy. If you want to emphasize the biological nature of a person, ser humano is your best choice. Meanwhile, alguien (someone) is used when the identity of the person is unknown or irrelevant: '¿Alguien sabe la hora?' (Does someone know the time?).

Un individuo solitario caminaba por la playa al atardecer.

Translation: A solitary individual was walking along the beach at sunset.

Este tipo no sabe de lo que está hablando.

Translation: This guy doesn't know what he's talking about. (Informal/Slang).

Persona vs. Personaje: As previously noted, personaje is for fiction. 'Don Quijote es un personaje famoso'. However, in a meta sense, you could say 'Él es todo un personaje' to mean someone is a 'real character' in real life.
Persona vs. Prójimo: 'Prójimo' is a religious or highly ethical term meaning 'neighbor' or 'fellow man'. It is found in the Bible and philosophical texts: 'Ama a tu prójimo' (Love your neighbor).

La gente de este pueblo es muy hospitalaria con los turistas.

Translation: The people of this town are very hospitable to tourists.

Es un sujeto de estudio en nuestra investigación sobre el sueño.

Translation: He is a study subject in our research on sleep.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The Latin word 'persona' might actually come from the Etruscan word 'phersu', which also meant mask. It reflects the idea that our 'person' is the role we play in society.

Guide de prononciation

UK /pɛərˈsoʊ.nə/

US /pɛrˈsoʊ.nə/

The stress in Spanish is on the second syllable: per-SO-na.

Rime avec

zona ona mona lona tona dona corona amazona

Erreurs fréquentes

Stressing the first syllable (PER-sona).
Pronouncing the 'r' too strongly like in English.
Failing to pronounce the final 'a' clearly.
Nasalizing the 'o' syllable.
Merging the 'r' and 's' sounds.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English word.

Écriture 2/5

Requires attention to gender agreement with adjectives.

Expression orale 2/5

Requires remembering to use 'la' even for men.

Écoute 1/5

Clearly pronounced and common in all contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

él ella ser un una

Apprends ensuite

gente individuo hombre mujer alguien

Avancé

personaje personalidad personalmente personificar personería

Grammaire à connaître

Noun-Adjective Gender Agreement

La persona es simpática.

Personal 'a' with specific people

Veo a la persona.

Indefinite article with professions/character

Él es una persona inteligente.

Pluralization of nouns ending in a vowel

Persona -> Personas.

Relative clauses with 'que'

La persona que canta es mi hermano.

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Exemples par niveau

La persona es alta.

The person is tall.

Notice that 'alta' is feminine to match 'persona'.

Una persona está aquí.

A person is here.

Use 'una' for 'a' with 'persona'.

Soy una buena persona.

I am a good person.

Even if the speaker is male, they say 'una buena persona'.

Hay tres personas en la mesa.

There are three people at the table.

'Personas' is the plural of 'persona'.

¿Quién es esa persona?

Who is that person?

'Esa' is the feminine 'that'.

La persona tiene un perro.

The person has a dog.

Subject-verb agreement: 'la persona tiene'.

Es una persona simpática.

They are a nice person.

'Simpática' matches the feminine noun 'persona'.

La persona bebe agua.

The person drinks water.

Simple present tense usage.

Quiero conocer a esa persona en persona.

I want to meet that person in person.

The phrase 'en persona' means face-to-face.

La persona que buscas no está aquí.

The person you are looking for is not here.

Relative clause starting with 'que'.

Vi a una persona corriendo en el parque.

I saw a person running in the park.

'Personal a' used before 'una persona'.

Esa persona es muy inteligente y trabajadora.

That person is very intelligent and hardworking.

Both adjectives are feminine.

Había muchas personas en el concierto.

There were many people at the concert.

'Muchas' agrees with the plural 'personas'.

Es la persona más importante de mi vida.

They are the most important person in my life.

Superlative construction: 'la persona más...'.

Necesito hablar con la persona encargada.

I need to speak with the person in charge.

'Encargada' is an adjective meaning 'in charge'.

Cada persona tiene su propia opinión.

Each person has their own opinion.

'Cada' is invariable, but 'persona' remains feminine.

Busco a una persona que sepa cocinar comida italiana.

I am looking for a person who knows how to cook Italian food.

Subjunctive 'sepa' because the person is not yet identified.

No hay ninguna persona que pueda ayudarme hoy.

There is no one who can help me today.

Negative 'ninguna' matches 'persona'.

Es una persona en la que puedes confiar plenamente.

They are a person you can fully trust.

Prepositional relative clause: 'en la que'.

La persona promedio pasa mucho tiempo en internet.

The average person spends a lot of time on the internet.

'Promedio' functions as an adjective here.

Se considera una persona muy afortunada por tener salud.

They consider themselves a very lucky person to have health.

Reflexive 'se considera'.

Cualquier persona interesada puede enviar su solicitud.

Any interested person can send their application.

'Cualquier' drops the 'a' before a noun.

Es difícil ser la persona que siempre toma las decisiones.

It is difficult to be the person who always makes the decisions.

Infinitive 'ser' followed by the noun phrase.

Me presentaron a una persona que resultó ser mi vecino.

They introduced me to a person who turned out to be my neighbor.

Past tense 'presentaron' and 'resultó'.

El contrato debe ser firmado por una persona física.

The contract must be signed by a natural person.

'Persona física' is a legal term.

Es fundamental respetar la dignidad de cada persona.

It is fundamental to respect the dignity of every person.

Abstract noun 'dignidad' related to 'persona'.

La persona jurídica tiene derechos y obligaciones legales.

The legal entity has legal rights and obligations.

'Persona jurídica' refers to a corporation.

A pesar de ser una persona reservada, dio un gran discurso.

Despite being a reserved person, they gave a great speech.

Concession phrase 'A pesar de'.

No juzgues a la persona, sino a sus acciones.

Do not judge the person, but their actions.

Imperative 'juzgues' in the negative.

Es una persona de principios que no acepta sobornos.

They are a person of principles who does not accept bribes.

Noun phrase 'de principios'.

La persona que cometió el error ya ha pedido disculpas.

The person who made the mistake has already apologized.

Present perfect 'ha pedido'.

Buscamos una persona cuya visión coincida con la nuestra.

We are looking for a person whose vision coincides with ours.

Relative possessive 'cuya'.

La alienación del individuo en la sociedad moderna afecta a la persona.

The alienation of the individual in modern society affects the person.

Comparison between 'individuo' and 'persona'.

Es imperativo que la persona investigada tenga un abogado.

It is imperative that the person under investigation has a lawyer.

Subjunctive 'tenga' after 'es imperativo que'.

La noción de 'persona' ha evolucionado a lo largo de los siglos.

The notion of 'person' has evolved throughout the centuries.

Historical/Philosophical context.

Se le considera una persona non grata en este país.

They are considered a persona non grata in this country.

Latin phrase used in formal Spanish.

La persona, en su dimensión ontológica, busca siempre el sentido.

The person, in their ontological dimension, always seeks meaning.

Academic/Philosophical register.

Resulta fascinante cómo una sola persona puede cambiar la historia.

It is fascinating how a single person can change history.

Impersonal 'resulta'.

La resiliencia es una cualidad intrínseca de la persona humana.

Resilience is an intrinsic quality of the human person.

Compound term 'persona humana'.

Hay que distinguir entre la persona y el cargo que ocupa.

One must distinguish between the person and the position they hold.

Infinitive 'distinguir' with prepositions.

La despersonalización ocurre cuando la persona pierde su conexión con el yo.

Depersonalization occurs when the person loses their connection with the self.

Psychological terminology.

El derecho a la autodeterminación es inherente a toda persona.

The right to self-determination is inherent to every person.

Legal/Human rights context.

La literatura existencialista sitúa a la persona frente al absurdo.

Existentialist literature places the person in front of the absurd.

Literary theory context.

Se debate si la inteligencia artificial puede llegar a ser una persona.

It is debated whether artificial intelligence can become a person.

Futuristic/Ethical debate.

La persona es el eje central de cualquier sistema democrático legítimo.

The person is the central axis of any legitimate democratic system.

Political science context.

La fenomenología estudia la experiencia subjetiva de la persona.

Phenomenology studies the subjective experience of the person.

Academic/Philosophical register.

No podemos soslayar la importancia de la persona en el proceso creativo.

We cannot overlook the importance of the person in the creative process.

Sophisticated verb 'soslayar'.

La trascendencia de la persona va más allá de su existencia física.

The transcendence of the person goes beyond their physical existence.

Metaphysical context.

Collocations courantes

buena persona

persona física

persona jurídica

persona mayor

persona joven

persona responsable

persona especial

persona normal

persona extraña

persona importante

Phrases Courantes

En persona

— In person, face-to-face. Used to describe physical presence.

Nos vemos mañana en persona.

De persona a persona

— Directly from one individual to another. Personal contact.

El trato es de persona a persona.

Como persona

— Regarding one's character or personal qualities. As a human.

Lo admiro mucho como persona.

Cualquier persona

— Anyone, no matter who they are. Universal.

Cualquier persona puede hacerlo.

La misma persona

— The exact same individual. Identifying identity.

Es la misma persona que vi ayer.

Persona de confianza

— A trustworthy person. Someone you rely on.

Él es mi persona de confianza.

Persona de palabra

— A person of their word. Someone who keeps promises.

Mi abuelo era una persona de palabra.

Persona de negocios

— A business person. Someone involved in trade.

Es una persona de negocios exitosa.

A título personal

— On a personal basis. Not representing a group.

Hablo a título personal.

Persona interesada

— Interested party. Someone who has a stake in something.

La persona interesada debe firmar.

Souvent confondu avec

la persona vs personaje

Use 'personaje' for characters in fiction, and 'persona' for real people.

la persona vs gente

Use 'gente' for a collective group (singular verb), 'personas' for individuals (plural verb).

la persona vs alguien

Use 'alguien' for 'someone' (unspecified), 'persona' for a specific or emphasized individual.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Persona non grata"

— An unwelcome person. Usually used in diplomatic contexts.

Fue declarado persona non grata.

formal

"Hacerse la persona"

— To act important or to pretend to be someone you are not.

No te hagas la persona conmigo.

informal

"Ser buena persona"

— To have a good heart. A common idiom for being kind.

Ella es muy buena persona.

neutral

"Tratar de persona a persona"

— To treat someone as an equal, with respect.

Me gusta que me traten de persona a persona.

neutral

"Ni una persona"

— Not a single person. Emphasizing emptiness.

No había ni una persona en la calle.

neutral

"Persona de mundo"

— A sophisticated person who has traveled and seen much.

Se nota que es una persona de mundo.

neutral

"Ser la última persona"

— To be the least likely person to do something.

Él es la última persona que mentiría.

neutral

"Persona de pocas palabras"

— A person of few words. Someone who is quiet.

Es una persona de pocas palabras pero gran corazón.

neutral

"Persona de bien"

— A decent, honest, and hardworking person.

Queremos que nuestros hijos sean personas de bien.

neutral

"Ponerse en la persona de otro"

— To put oneself in someone else's shoes (to empathize).

Debes ponerte en la persona de otro antes de juzgar.

neutral

Facile à confondre

la persona vs personaje

Both relate to 'person'.

Personaje refers to a character in a story, play, or movie. Persona refers to a real human being.

Don Quijote es un personaje, pero Cervantes era una persona.

la persona vs gente

Both mean 'people'.

Gente is a collective noun and always singular. Personas is the plural of persona and used for counting.

La gente es amable. Diez personas vinieron.

la persona vs individuo

Synonyms for person.

Individuo is more formal or clinical. Persona is more common and warm.

Ese individuo es sospechoso. Esa persona es mi amiga.

la persona vs personal

Related root.

Personal is usually an adjective (private) or a collective noun (staff). Persona is the noun for the individual.

Es un asunto personal. El personal del hotel es amable.

la persona vs sujeto

Used to refer to a person.

Sujeto is academic (subject) or informal/derogatory (guy). Persona is the standard term.

El sujeto del experimento. Ese sujeto me molesta.

Structures de phrases

[Article] persona es [adjective].

La persona es buena.

Ser + una persona + [adjective].

Él es una persona alta.

La persona que + [verb].

La persona que vive allí es mi amigo.

A pesar de ser una persona + [adjective]...

A pesar de ser una persona joven, es muy sabia.

La persona en su dimensión + [adjective]...

La persona en su dimensión social necesita interactuar.

Soslayar la importancia de la persona...

No podemos soslayar la importancia de la persona.

Any

En persona.

Lo vi en persona.

Any

Muchas/Pocas personas.

Hay muchas personas aquí.

Famille de mots

Noms

personaje

personalidad

personalismo

personificación

personería

Verbes

personalizar

personificar

Adjectifs

personal

personado

personable

Apparenté

gente

individuo

sujeto

humano

ciudadano

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high. One of the top 100 most used nouns in Spanish.

Erreurs courantes

El persona → La persona
Persona is always feminine, regardless of the sex of the individual.
Un persona bueno → Una persona buena
Adjectives and articles must match the feminine gender of the noun 'persona'.
La gente son → La gente es
While 'people' is plural in English, 'gente' is singular in Spanish.
Mi personaje favorito (talking about a friend) → Mi persona favorita
'Personaje' is for fictional characters; 'persona' is for real people.
Muchos personas → Muchas personas
The quantifier must be feminine to match 'personas'.

Astuces

Always Feminine

Never use 'el' or 'un' with 'persona'. It is a fixed feminine noun. This is one of the most important rules for beginners.

Persona vs Gente

Use 'personas' when you can count them (1, 2, 3 personas). Use 'gente' when talking about a group in general.

Compliments

Calling someone 'una gran persona' is a very high compliment in Spanish-speaking cultures, focusing on their character.

Legal Terms

If you are doing business in Spanish, learn 'persona física' (individual) and 'persona jurídica' (company).

Stress the Middle

Remember the stress is on the 'so' syllable: per-SO-na. Don't say PER-sona.

Adjective Agreement

Always check your adjectives. 'Juan es una persona ALTA'. The 'a' at the end is mandatory because of 'persona'.

The Personal A

Listen for the 'a' before 'persona' in sentences like 'Conozco a esa persona'. It's a common feature of Spanish.

En Persona

Use 'en persona' just like you use 'in person' in English. It's a very common and useful phrase.

Not a Character

Don't say 'mi personaje favorito' if you are talking about a real person. Use 'mi persona favorita'.

Countable

Remember that 'personas' is plural, so use 'muchas', 'pocas', or 'algunas' to match it.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'person' wearing a 'persona' (mask). The word is the same in both languages, just add an 'a' at the end and make it feminine!

Association visuelle

Imagine a woman (representing the feminine gender) holding a mask that fits both men and women. This reminds you that 'la persona' is feminine for everyone.

Word Web

humano individuo personalidad personal personalmente personaje gente sujeto

Défi

Try to describe five different people (men and women) today using the phrase 'Es una persona...'. Remember to keep the adjectives feminine!

Origine du mot

From the Latin word 'persona', which originally meant a mask worn by an actor in a play. It eventually came to mean the character played and then any human being.

Sens originel : Mask, character, or role.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'sujeto' or 'individuo' as they can sound cold or derogatory compared to the warmer 'persona'.

English speakers often struggle with the grammatical gender of 'persona' because 'person' is gender-neutral. In English, we say 'he is a good person', but in Spanish, we must remember the feminine agreement.

The movie 'Persona' by Ingmar Bergman (though Swedish, the title is universal). The concept of 'Persona' in Jungian psychology. The phrase 'Persona non grata' in international diplomacy.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Introductions

Te presento a esta persona.
Es una persona de mi trabajo.
He conocido a una persona nueva.
Es la persona de la que te hablé.

Work/Hiring

Buscamos a una persona dinámica.
La persona seleccionada empezará mañana.
Es una persona muy profesional.
Necesitamos a una persona con idiomas.

Legal/Official

Identificación de la persona.
Persona física o jurídica.
Derechos de la persona.
Comparecencia en persona.

Daily Gossip/Opinion

Es una persona difícil.
No es buena persona.
Me parece una persona honesta.
Es una persona de fiar.

General Crowds

Hay demasiadas personas.
Había pocas personas.
¿Cuántas personas vienen?
Las personas están esperando.

Amorces de conversation

"¿Qué cualidades crees que definen a una buena persona?"

"¿Quién es la persona que más te ha influido en la vida?"

"¿Prefieres conocer a la gente por internet o en persona?"

"¿Qué es lo primero que notas cuando conoces a una persona nueva?"

"¿Crees que una sola persona puede cambiar el mundo?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a una persona que admires mucho. ¿Por qué es especial para ti?

Escribe sobre un momento en el que conociste a una persona interesante en un viaje.

¿Qué significa para ti ser una 'persona de palabra'?

Reflexiona sobre cómo has cambiado como persona en los últimos cinco años.

Describe a la persona que te gustaría llegar a ser en el futuro.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, 'la persona' is always feminine in Spanish. Even if you are referring to a man, you must say 'una persona' and use feminine adjectives. For example, 'Él es una persona simpática'.

'Persona' refers to an individual, and its plural 'personas' is used for counting specific individuals (e.g., 'cuatro personas'). 'Gente' is a collective noun that means 'people' in a general sense and always takes a singular verb (e.g., 'la gente es').

No, you can never say 'el persona'. Grammatical gender in Spanish is fixed for certain nouns like 'persona'. It is always 'la persona'.

Use 'personaje' when you are talking about a fictional character in a book, movie, or play. Use 'persona' for real-life human beings.

Yes, 'en persona' is the direct equivalent of the English phrase 'in person'. For example, 'Quiero verte en persona' (I want to see you in person).

You say 'una buena persona'. Because 'persona' is feminine, both the article 'una' and the adjective 'buena' must be feminine.

'Persona' is a neutral word. It is appropriate for all levels of formality, from casual chat to legal documents.

In legal and business contexts, 'persona física' refers to an individual human being, as opposed to a 'persona jurídica', which refers to a corporation or entity.

Yes, 'persona' can refer to any human being regardless of age. You can say 'Ese niño es una persona muy curiosa'.

The plural of 'persona' is 'personas'. 'Personajes' is the plural of 'personaje' (characters).

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