cantante
kahn-TAHN-teh
📝 In Action
Ella es una cantante de ópera muy famosa en Europa.
A1She is a very famous opera singer in Europe.
¿Conoces al cantante principal de esa banda de rock?
B1Do you know the lead singer of that rock band?
El joven cantante demostró una capacidad vocal impresionante durante el concurso.
B2The young vocalist demonstrated an impressive vocal range during the competition.
💡 Grammar Points
One Word, Two Genders
The word 'cantante' is special because it doesn't change form based on gender. You use 'el' (the masculine word for 'the') for a male singer, and 'la' (the feminine word for 'the') for a female singer: 'el cantante' and 'la cantante'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't change the ending
Mistake: "Using 'cantanta' for a female singer."
Correction: The correct form is always 'cantante', regardless of whether the singer is male or female. The word placed before it ('el' or 'la') tells you the gender.
⭐ Usage Tips
More than a Noun
Though mostly used as a person, 'cantante' can also act like a descriptive word (adjective) to describe something that sings, like 'pájaro cantante' (singing bird), though this usage is less common.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cantante
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'cantante' to refer to a female singer?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'cantante' have a plural form?
Yes, just like most Spanish words ending in 'e', you add an 's': 'los cantantes' (the singers) or 'las cantantes' (the female singers).
Is 'cantor/cantora' the same as 'cantante'?
'Cantor' (male) and 'cantora' (female) also mean 'singer,' but they are often used in more formal, traditional, or specific contexts, like referring to a choir director or a folk singer. 'Cantante' is the standard, general term for any kind of singer.