Gender plays an even more important role in Spanish nouns than you might think. The gender of some Spanish nouns can actually affect the words’ meanings. In the masculine form, a word in this category means one thing, and in the feminine form, it has a totally different meaning. Knowing the proper usage can mean the difference between frying a potato and frying the Pope!
The best way to prepare for this gender-related meaning swap is to get familiar with the handful of Spanish nouns whose meanings change according to gender. Use the following table to help you commit these words to memory.
| Masculine | Meaning | Feminine | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| el capital | the capital (money) | la capital | the capital (country) |
| el cura | the priest | la cura | the cure |
| el frente | the front | la frente | the forehead |
| el guía | the male guide | la guía | the female guide; the guidebook |
| el Papa | the Pope | la papa | the potato |
| el policía | the police officer | la policía | the police force; the police woman |