alternativa
/ahl-tehr-na-TEE-vah/
alternative
The noun alternativa means 'alternative' or 'choice,' like deciding which path to take.
alternativa(noun)
alternative
?A choice or possibility
,option
?Something available to choose
way out
?Figurative solution to a problem
📝 In Action
No tenemos otra alternativa, debemos empezar de nuevo.
A2We don't have another alternative; we must start again.
Ofrecieron una alternativa ecológica para el transporte.
B1They offered an ecological option for transportation.
Siempre hay una alternativa si buscas con calma.
A2There is always a choice if you look calmly.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'otra'
When you want to say 'another alternative,' you use 'otra alternativa.' Remember, 'alternativa' is feminine, so you need the feminine form of 'other'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender confusion
Mistake: "El alternativa"
Correction: La alternativa. Although it ends in '-a', learners sometimes forget this is a feminine noun and must use 'la' or 'una'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
While 'opción' is often used casually, 'alternativa' often suggests a more formal or necessary choice, especially in business or public speaking.
As an adjective, alternativa describes something 'alternative,' meaning non-traditional or different from the norm.
📝 In Action
Ella prefiere la medicina alternativa a los tratamientos convencionales.
B1She prefers alternative medicine over conventional treatments.
Necesitamos fuentes de energía alternativa.
B2We need alternative energy sources.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
This form, 'alternativa,' is used only when describing feminine nouns (like 'medicina' or 'energía'). If the noun were masculine (like 'camino'), you would use 'alternativo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Positioning
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'alternativa' usually comes after the noun it describes: 'música alternativa' (alternative music).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: alternativa
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'alternativa' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'alternativa' and 'opción'?
'Opción' is a general term for any choice, like choosing a dish on a menu. 'Alternativa' often implies a choice that is needed when the main plan fails, or a choice that is different from the standard or conventional path (like 'alternative medicine'). They are often interchangeable, but 'alternativa' carries more weight.
Does 'alternativa' always mean there are only two choices?
Historically, the root of the word suggests choosing between two things. However, in modern Spanish, 'alternativa' simply means 'an option' or 'a choice,' regardless of how many other choices are available. You can have many alternatives.