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"Español" is a noun which is often translated as "Spanish", and "hispano" is an adjective which is often translated as "Hispanic". Learn more about the difference between "español" and "hispano" below.
el español(
ehs
-
pah
-
nyohl
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (language)
a. Spanish
El español se habla en muchos países a través de cuatro continentes.Spanish is spoken in many countries across four continents.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
hispano, el hispano, la hispana(
ees
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pah
-
noh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
c. Spanish-American (old-fashioned)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
En el congreso, había muchos científicos hispanos, particularmente de la zona del Río de la Plata.In the conference, there were many Spanish-American scientists, particularly from the River Plate area.
a. Hispanic
En mi vecindario, hay algunas tiendas que venden productos hispanos.In my neighborhood, some shops carry Hispanic products.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).