corriente
/koh-rree-EN-teh/
current
Corriente can refer to a natural flow, like a water or air current.
corriente(noun)
current
?Water or air flow
,flow
?General movement
draft
?A flow of air, usually unwanted
📝 In Action
La corriente del río arrastró la canoa.
A2The river current swept the canoe away.
Cierra la ventana, por favor; hay mucha corriente de aire.
B1Close the window, please; there is a strong draft.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Even though it ends in '-e', 'corriente' is always a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it.
Corriente is also the word for electrical power or electricity.
corriente(noun)
electricity
?Power supply
,electric current
?Technical term
power
?General term for electricity
📝 In Action
¿Puedes conectar esto a la corriente?
B1Can you plug this into the power/electricity?
Se fue la corriente por la tormenta.
B2The power went out because of the storm.
💡 Grammar Points
The Outlet
The word for the wall socket where you plug things in is often 'tomacorriente' (literally 'take current'), which helps reinforce this meaning.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Power
Mistake: "Using 'poder' to mean 'electrical power'."
Correction: Use 'corriente' or 'electricidad'. 'Poder' means ability or authority.
When used as an adjective, corriente describes something common or ordinary.
corriente(adjective)
common
?Ordinary
,average
?Standard quality
run-of-the-mill
?Informal description
,ordinary
?Not special
📝 In Action
No es nada especial, solo un coche corriente.
A2It's nothing special, just an ordinary car.
Su opinión es bastante corriente entre la gente.
B1His opinion is quite common among people.
💡 Grammar Points
Always the Same
As an adjective meaning 'ordinary,' 'corriente' is an adjective that stays the same regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'un coche corriente', 'una persona corriente').
⭐ Usage Tips
Slightly Negative
Using 'corriente' to describe a person or thing can sometimes imply they are mediocre or unremarkable, depending on the context.
Corriente can also mean 'current' when referring to the present time or date.
corriente(adjective)
current
?Referring to the present time
,present
?Referring to the present time
running
?Referring to an account or balance
📝 In Action
El mes corriente finaliza el jueves.
B2The current month ends on Thursday.
Necesito revisar mi cuenta corriente.
C1I need to check my current account (checking account).
💡 Grammar Points
Time Marker
When used for time ('mes corriente'), it is placed after the noun, just like most descriptive Spanish adjectives.
⭐ Usage Tips
Banking Terminology
Memorize 'cuenta corriente' if you plan to do any banking in a Spanish-speaking country; it is the standard term for a checking account.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: corriente
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'corriente' is used in the phrase 'una persona corriente'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'corriente' masculine or feminine?
As a noun meaning 'current' or 'electricity', it is feminine (la corriente). As an adjective meaning 'ordinary' or 'current/present', it is a common adjective that keeps the same form for both masculine and feminine nouns (el mes corriente, la persona corriente).
How do I distinguish between 'draft' (air) and 'current' (water)?
When referring to air, it is usually 'corriente de aire' (draft). When referring to water, it is usually just 'la corriente' (river/ocean current).