alerta
/a-LER-ta/
alert
As a noun, 'alerta' means an alert, signal, or warning. This image shows a warning light.
📝 In Action
Han declarado una alerta roja por la tormenta.
A2They have declared a red alert because of the storm.
Recibimos una alerta en el teléfono sobre un incendio.
A2We received an alert on the phone about a fire.
La alerta de tsunami se canceló tres horas después.
B1The tsunami warning was canceled three hours later.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Note
Remember that 'alerta' as a signal or warning is always feminine: 'la alerta'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Color Codes
Alerts are often described using colors to indicate severity: 'alerta verde' (low), 'alerta amarilla' (moderate), 'alerta roja' (severe).
As an adjective, 'alerta' describes someone or something that is vigilant or watchful. This owl is very alert.
📝 In Action
El guardia siempre está alerta durante la noche.
B1The guard is always alert during the night.
Es importante que los conductores se mantengan alerta.
B2It is important that drivers remain alert.
Las niñas están alerta para ver si llega el cartero.
B1The girls are alert to see if the postman arrives.
💡 Grammar Points
It Stays the Same
This adjective is special because it does not change its ending to match the noun's gender (masculine/feminine) or number (singular/plural). It always stays 'alerta' (e.g., 'los hombres están alerta', 'la mujer está alerta').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Do Not Add an 'S'
Mistake: "Los niños están alertas."
Correction: Los niños están alerta. (The word 'alerta' does not take an 's' when used as an adjective.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Common Verb
You almost always use 'alerta' with the verb 'estar' (to be, referring to a temporary state) to describe someone's readiness.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: alerta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'alerta' as an adjective (describing a state of being)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'alerta' masculine or feminine?
When 'alerta' is used as a noun (meaning the warning or signal), it is always feminine ('la alerta'). When it is used as an adjective (meaning watchful or vigilant), it is invariable—it doesn't change gender or number.
If I want to use the verb 'to alert,' what word should I use?
The infinitive verb is 'alertar'. For example, 'Debemos alertar a la policía' (We must alert the police). The word 'alerta' itself is the 'él/ella/usted' form of the present tense (e.g., 'Él alerta a sus amigos').