enemigo
/e-ne-MÍ-go/
enemy
An enemigo (enemy) is an adversary or opponent.
📝 In Action
Mi equipo de fútbol tiene un gran enemigo en la final.
A2My soccer team has a great rival in the final.
No puedes confiar en tu enemigo, debes tener cuidado.
B1You can't trust your enemy; you must be careful.
Lucharon valientemente contra el enemigo común.
B2They fought bravely against the common enemy.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Form
When referring to a female opponent, the word changes to 'enemiga'. Both are nouns: 'El enemigo' (the male enemy) or 'La enemiga' (the female enemy).
The Personal 'a'
If you are talking about seeing or knowing a specific person who is an enemy, you must use the little word 'a' before them: 'Conocí a mi enemigo' (I met my enemy).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Noun and Adjective
Mistake: "La persona es enemigo."
Correction: La persona es enemiga. (Remember to match the gender, 'enemiga' for a female person, or 'enemigo' if you mean the team/group is the enemy.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond People
You can use 'enemigo' figuratively for abstract concepts or problems, like 'El tiempo es nuestro enemigo' (Time is our enemy).
If someone is described as enemigo (hostile), they are opposed or aggressive.
📝 In Action
Cruzamos la línea a territorio enemigo con mucho cuidado.
B1We crossed the line into hostile territory very carefully.
Las fuerzas enemigas atacaron al amanecer.
B2The opposing forces attacked at dawn.
El presidente se mostró enemigo a cualquier tipo de reforma.
C1The president showed himself opposed to any kind of reform.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, 'enemigo' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. For example, 'fuerzas' (forces) is feminine plural, so you say 'fuerzas enemigas'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Singular
Mistake: "Llegaron los barcos enemigo."
Correction: Llegaron los barcos enemigos. (Since 'barcos' is plural, the adjective must also be plural.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Positioning
The adjective usually comes after the noun it describes: 'un ejército enemigo' (a hostile army), reinforcing the description.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: enemigo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'enemigo' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'enemigo' only apply to people?
No. While it most often refers to a person or military group, it can also be used figuratively for concepts like 'ignorancia' (ignorance) or 'el tiempo' (time) when they are obstacles or harmful.
How do I say 'enemy territory'?
You use 'territorio enemigo.' Since 'territorio' is a masculine noun, 'enemigo' is used in its masculine form and placed after the noun.