artista
/ar-TEE-sta/
artist
An artista (artist) is a creator of visual or performing arts.
artista(Noun)
artist
?creator of visual or performing arts
,performer
?someone who acts, sings, or dances professionally
entertainer
?general term for stage/show people
📝 In Action
El artista firmó autógrafos después del concierto.
A2The artist (male) signed autographs after the concert.
Mi abuela es una artista increíble; pinta retratos muy reales.
A1My grandmother is an incredible artist (female); she paints very realistic portraits.
Los artistas callejeros hacen que la plaza sea más interesante.
B1The street performers make the square more interesting.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Articles
The word 'artista' itself doesn't change based on gender. You use 'el' for a male artist and 'la' for a female artist. This is true for many Spanish professions ending in -ista.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Changing the Ending
Mistake: "La artisa (Incorrect)"
Correction: La artista (Correct). Do not try to change the final 'a' to an 'o' when referring to a man, or change it to 'i' when referring to a woman. The word stays the same.
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond Fine Arts
In Spanish, 'artista' is often used very broadly for musicians, dancers, actors, and even highly skilled chefs or makeup experts.
Something is considered artista (artistic) if it possesses an artistic quality or flair.
artista(Adjective)
artistic
?having an artistic quality or flair
talented
?describing a person's skill level
📝 In Action
Tu hijo es muy artista, dibuja cosas maravillosas.
B1Your son is very artistic/talented; he draws marvelous things.
Ella tiene un gusto muy artista para la moda.
B2She has a very artistic taste for fashion.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Form
When used as an adjective, 'artista' is one of those words that always stays the same regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'un chico artista' or 'una chica artista').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: artista
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly refers to a woman?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make 'artista' plural?
You simply add -s: 'artistas'. The article also becomes plural: 'los artistas' (male/mixed group) or 'las artistas' (female group).
Is 'artista' only for painters or sculptors?
No. In Spanish, 'artista' is a very broad term used for anyone who performs or creates, including musicians, actors, comedians, and even skilled makeup professionals or chefs.