¿Qué es un sustantivo? : What is a Noun? English/Spanish Nouns ( 1 )

Question

What is a Noun?

Definition:

In both English and Spanish, a noun is a word that refers to and names a person, place, thing, concept, entity or action. Grammatically, a noun can serve as the subject of a sentence or the object of a* verb* or preposition. A noun can also be described by adjectives or replaced by a pronoun.

Also known as : Nombre or Sustantivo in Spanish

Examples in Spanish: computadora, Ricardo, Nueva York, felicidad, condado, fumar (can also function as a verb)

---

Corresponding examples in English: computer, Richard, New York, happiness, county, smoking (can also function as a verb)

Have a vote mate - thanks for the effort to post. - ian-hill, May 29, 2015

Thanks modmate , and today it was a big effort believe me. - ray76, May 29, 2015

Thanks Raymon. xo - rac1, May 30, 2015

De nada mor. - ray76, May 30, 2015

Thanks Ray. - sanlee, May 31, 2015

Answer 1

Nouns "name" things. Physical things, ideas, emociones, etc. Living things, in English, generally have gender when speak of a specific person or animal, but are often neutral when speaking of a group of people or animals en general. This is one of those areas where Spanish gets difficult because en Spanish almost every noun is either masculine or feminine regardless of whether it truly has a sex. Some are ambi, ie can be either masculine or feminine.

So where I have trouble is with inanimate objects; tables, chairs, plates, spoons, emociones being either masculine or feminine. What a crazy concept!

Thanks mate, I shall post much more concerning nouns tonight, it is a big and complex subject, thank you for your interest it makes it worthwhile doing. - ray76, Jun 1, 2015

@gringofrf Most languages have this masculine/feminine concept of nouns. German has three. They also include "neuter", Thats not to bad except that the word for "young maiden" is neuter. Hebrew has masculine and feminine V E R B S. Oy vey! - Daniela2041, Jul 11, 2015