alienígena
/ah-lyeh-nee-HEH-nah/
alien
An alienígena is a being from another planet, commonly known as an alien.
📝 In Action
El niño dijo que había visto un alienígena en el bosque.
A2The boy said he had seen an alien in the forest.
La televisión siempre presenta a los alienígenas como seres verdes y pequeños.
B1Television always presents aliens as small, green beings.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender That Stays the Same
This word is a noun that works for both masculine and feminine subjects. You use 'el' for a male alien, 'la' for a female alien, and 'los/las' for plural, but the word itself never changes its ending: 'el alienígena', 'la alienígena'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Common
'Extraterrestre' is the more formal or scientific term, while 'alienígena' is the most commonly used word in movies, books, and everyday conversation.
The word alienígena can also be used as an adjective to describe something of foreign or alien origin, like a plant growing in an unexpected climate.
alienígena(adjective)
alien
?describing something's origin
,extraterrestrial
?relating to things from outside Earth
foreign
?less common, meaning 'of a different origin' (e.g., flora)
📝 In Action
Los científicos investigan la tecnología alienígena recuperada.
B1Scientists are investigating the recovered alien technology.
Encontraron una especie de planta alienígena que no requiere luz solar.
B2They found a species of alien plant that does not require sunlight.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective That Doesn't Change
As an adjective, 'alienígena' is always the same, regardless of whether the thing it describes is masculine or feminine, singular or plural: 'el objeto alienígena' and 'la nave alienígena'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding an 'o' for Masculine
Mistake: "La nave alienígeno."
Correction: La nave alienígena. (The word never changes its ending, even when describing masculine nouns.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: alienígena
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'alienígena' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'alienígena' end in -a but can be masculine?
Words ending in -a are usually feminine, but 'alienígena' is an exception. It's an epicene noun, meaning it uses the same form for both genders. You use 'el' or 'la' to indicate the gender of the person/being, but the word itself remains 'alienígena'.
Is 'alienígena' the only word for 'alien'?
No, 'extraterrestre' is a perfect synonym and is often used in formal or scientific contexts. 'Alienígena' is more common in everyday speech and media.