Daily Word
In the examples of today's word (la fruta), why is the singular feminine and the plural masculine ?
3 Answers
Hello paulc,
That's because they are showing two different meanings and uses for that word.
If you want to use the word fruta literally, as a 'fruit' or 'a piece of fruit', then you must use the feminine version.
Mi fruta favorita es la piña. My favourite fruit is the pineapple.
La manzana y la pera son frutas. The apple and the pear are fruits.
Today I ate a piece of fruit. Hoy he comido una pieza de fruta.
Nevertheless, if you want to use it figuratively, as in today's word second example, then masculine gender is needed. Both singular and plural are and option.
I hope this helps.
I haven´t seen this thread, but the difference between gender has nothing to do with plural / singular. In this case, fruto should refer to the tree, seeds, production from the harvest, etc. Fruta should refer to the actual fruit that we eat or take from the tree.
Also referring to the expression "to bear fruit" when talking about achieving something good from working, we use the masculine fruto.
I think the banana is really a fruit, but the fruits of my labor are not really edible fruit.
