alumnos
“alumnos” means “students” in Spanish (General term for people studying).
students, pupils
Also: learners
📝 In Action
Los alumnos de esta clase son muy aplicados.
A1The students in this class are very diligent.
Hay veinte alumnos y quince alumnas en el instituto, por lo que decimos '35 alumnos'.
A2There are twenty male students and fifteen female students in the high school, which is why we say '35 students'.
La profesora recibió a los nuevos alumnos en el aula.
A1The teacher welcomed the new students into the classroom.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: alumnos
Question 1 of 2
If a class has 10 boys and 10 girls, how do you correctly refer to the whole group?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *alumnus*, which originally meant 'foster child' or 'nourished one,' reflecting the idea that the student is being educated and cared for by the teacher or institution.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'alumnos' the same as 'estudiantes'?
Yes, they mean the same thing (students). 'Alumnos' is often slightly more formal or used more in reference to school-age children or pupils, while 'estudiantes' is very general and can refer to university students or anyone studying.
Why does 'alumnos' (masculine plural) include female students?
This is a fundamental rule in Spanish grammar: when a plural noun refers to a group containing both males and females (or masculine and feminine objects), the masculine plural form is always used. It's a grammatical rule, not a commentary on gender.