Inklingo
← Dictionary

cosa

/KOH-sah/

thing

A wooden table with a variety of different things on it: a red apple, a blue book, some keys, and a coffee mug.

Just like in English, 'cosa' is a super useful word for any physical object or 'thing' you can see or touch.

cosa(Noun)

fA1

thing

?

general object

Also:

object

?

a physical item

,

item

?

an individual article

,

stuff

?

possessions, materials

📝 In Action

¿Qué es esa cosa en la mesa?

A1

What is that thing on the table?

Tengo muchas cosas que hacer hoy.

A1

I have many things to do today.

Dame esa cosa, por favor.

A1

Give me that thing, please.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • poca cosa – insignificant thing, no big deal
  • cualquier cosa – anything
  • cosas de la casa – housework, household items

Idioms & Expressions

  • no es gran cosa – It's not a big deal.
  • la cosa está que arde – The situation is very tense/heated.

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

'Cosa' is always a feminine word. That means you'll always say 'la cosa' (the thing) or 'una cosa' (a thing), never 'el' or 'un'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Overusing 'Cosa'

Mistake: "Using 'cosa' for everything when a more specific word exists."

Correction: While 'cosa' is your best friend when you forget a word, try to learn specific nouns. For example, instead of 'Pásame esa cosa para escribir', say 'Pásame el bolígrafo' (Pass me the pen).

⭐ Usage Tips

Your Go-To Vague Word

When you can't remember the specific name for an object, 'cosa' is perfect. It's the Spanish equivalent of 'thing', 'stuff', or 'what-cha-ma-call-it'.

Two people sitting at a cafe table, looking concerned and talking seriously, with one person gesturing to explain a point.

'Cosa' isn't just for physical objects. It can also refer to a situation, a matter, or an issue you're talking about.

cosa(Noun)

fA2

matter

?

a subject or situation

Also:

affair

?

a concern or event

,

issue

?

a topic of discussion

📝 In Action

La cosa es que no tengo dinero.

A2

The thing is, I don't have any money.

Es una cosa de familia.

B1

It's a family matter.

Hay otra cosa que quiero decirte.

A2

There's another thing I want to tell you.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • asunto (matter, subject)
  • cuestión (question, issue)
  • tema (topic)

Common Collocations

  • la cosa es que... – the thing is that...
  • una cosa llevó a la otra – one thing led to another

⭐ Usage Tips

Introducing a Topic or Problem

Use the phrase 'la cosa es que...' to introduce the main point or problem you're about to explain. It's a natural way to structure your thoughts.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cosa

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'cosa' to talk about a situation, not a physical object?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cosita(little thing) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cosa' informal? Should I avoid it in formal writing?

Not at all! 'Cosa' is a neutral word used in all situations, from casual chats to formal speeches. However, in formal writing, it's often better to use a more precise word if you can. For example, instead of 'discutieron muchas cosas' (they discussed many things), you could write 'discutieron muchos temas' (they discussed many topics).

Why is 'cosa' feminine? It doesn't seem like a girl 'thing'!

Great question! In Spanish, the 'gender' of a noun is just a grammar rule and has nothing to do with whether something is masculine or feminine in real life. Words ending in '-a', like 'cosa', are usually feminine. You just have to learn it as part of the word: it's always 'la cosa'.