Are all nouns that end in "e" masculine like "un bebé"? there is no "una bebé" (a baby)

Question

in general ,,, of course there are exceptions like "la carne" (the meat)

Answer 1

Hello R to D. You are correct in thinking that, as a 'General Rule', most nouns which end in 'e' are masculine. So, I've given you a list of 'some' of the exceptions: Madre, Base, Calle, Carne, Clase, Clave, Corriente, Fe, Fiebre, Frase, Fuente, Gente, Llave, Muerte, Nieve, Noche, Nube, Sangre, Sede, Serpiente, Suerte, Tarde, Torre. These are ALL feminine! Hope that this is of 'some' help. Regards...Jool.

Gracias ... Great List ... Have to add it to my file of "Spanish Exceptions" - readytodictate, Feb 28, 2012

Great list, jool! I added some of your words to our article on masculine and feminine nouns: http://www.spanishdict.com/topics/show/1 - Paralee, Feb 28, 2012

Answer 2

there is no "una bebé" (a baby)

That's not correct.

When talking about a girl the article can tell you the gender of the baby.....
Una bebé de tres meses fue hallada en una bolsa en el estado Zulia (This is a baby girl)

Speaking generally about babies.....
Un bebé es un ser humano de una edad todavía muy corta. (Can be male or female)

Yes, bebé can be of either sex! - annierats, Feb 28, 2012

Hmm. no estoy de acuerdo. I hear spanish people just say un bebé for a baby girl or boy. And SpanDict's Dict says it's a masculine noun period (no una). a spanish exception to the rule. - readytodictate, Feb 28, 2012

Not sure if it matters whether you agree or not. I'm just telling you what **common** usage is. - Jack-OBrien, Feb 28, 2012

Igualmente ... I just told you the common usage and what SpanDict says. Argue with SpanDict ... they put a masculino o femenino or (m) (f) after the word if it is both - readytodictate, Feb 28, 2012

Yes, SD does indicate when a noun can be either masculine or feminine -- as this shows. http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/bebé - babs_irish, Feb 28, 2012

Answer 3

NikkiRivera, please look at the last part of this entry (m&f). Masculine and Feminine. This is from the second dictionary entry here in SD. I agree that the first entry only says Maculine. That is why I said they conflict with each other.

bebé [bay-bay’] noun 1. Baby. (m & f)

Didn't see that one... In WR it says "bebé" is masculine too... so I don't know. - NikkiLR, Feb 29, 2012

It amazes me how the various dictionaries have very different information in them. Check out the word Apañar. I did today and was amazed at the differences. - gringojrf, Feb 29, 2012

Well, I know "la / una bebé" is used... but how to we find out if it is correct or not? Uff... :D - NikkiLR, Feb 29, 2012

Answer 4

there is no "una bebé" (a baby)

I have wondered about this as well. Once a friend told me "muchas felicidades por la bebé!!!!" after I announced we were having a girl.

I am not sure if this is correct or not, but "una" and "la" are used with "bebé" at times.

I believe common usage is the same as for artista or cantante.

Wouldn't it say this in the dictionary, though?

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(infant) bebé m, niño, -ña m,f, bebe, -ba m,f (Per, RPl), guagua f (Andes);

Here is says that there is another word for a female baby --- beba. I found out this is used as well.

Look at the second dictionary entry in my post. Where after baby it has (m&f) for masculine and femine. - gringojrf, Feb 28, 2012

Answer 5

Spenish Dictionary's Translator uses three dictionaries. The first two are copied below. It would appear that they conflict with one another. The first claims it is a masculine noun and the second either masculine or feminine.

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bebé masculine noun 1. baby bebé probeta -> test-tube baby

Copyright © 2006 Chambers Harrap Publishers Limited

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bebé [bay-bay’] noun 1. Baby. (m & f)

Velazquez® Spanish and English Dictionary. Copyright © 2007 by Velazquez® Press. All rights reserved

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I believe common usage is the same as for artista or cantante. You use the article/pronoun that is appropriate to the sex of the baby.