Do you need a hand?

Question

I see the translation for this question is > ¿Necesita (usted) una mano?

My question is why not un mano? why una mano?

The simple answer is because mano is feminine in gender - 0074b507, AGO 7, 2009

That's a very literal translation the translator gave. You could try simple translations like 'Necesita ayuda?' or 'te ayudo?' or something to that effect. In the end, it will be understood, and that's the goal of communication. - desertdivine, AGO 7, 2009

Answer 1

It is feminine because it comes from the Latin word manus, which was also feminine. Genders make no sense, and although almost all nouns ending in -o are masculine, some are not: libido loto (=lotería) mano moto (=motocicleta) nao polio (=poliomielitis) radio (=radiodifusión) virago and foreign words: demo (=demonstration) macro (also masculine)

Answer 2

If you wish to know why a word ending in "o" was determined to be feminine rather than masculine, then you probably need to delve into its origins similar to all of those words with Greek origins ending in a that are masculine. (e.g. el alma, el tema, etc.)

The rule about words ending in being masculine is just a guideline as it is true most of the time.

Aside: you can't use the greater than, less than symbols for quotes. They don't display.

Do you mean these < > - Eddy, AGO 7, 2009

Answer 3

Quentin, where did your avatar go?

you are the first to add a picture! Of course, you had to be...software guys have to do this stuff!

I've posted one already in another thread.

You cannot post one from your computer, however, as you have to give an htttp:// link. I had to upload the picture to an image host (photobucket) and then copy a link to this site. PAIN IN THE ....

I just tried changing my avatar. It won't accept a picture. Back to normal. - 0074b507, AGO 7, 2009

Yeah, i have been trying to change mine for hours...no way, ...jeje, back to normal :p - 00494d19, AGO 7, 2009

Answer 4

HI Timoteo, welcome to this new site

mano is the translation of hand.

we say:

¿Necesita que le/te eche una mano?

echar una mano: to give a helping hand

Have a look in our dictionary : hand

Answer 5

Because mano is a feminine noun.

Not all nouns that end in o are masculine, and not all nouns that end in a are feminine, just the majority.