eterna
eh-TEHR-nah
📝 In Action
La esperanza de una vida eterna es un consuelo para muchos.
B1The hope of an eternal life is a comfort for many.
Después de tres horas de retraso, la espera se hizo eterna.
B2After a three-hour delay, the wait became endless (or seemed eternal).
Ella siente una gratitud eterna por tu ayuda.
B1She feels eternal gratitude for your help.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement (Feminine)
Since 'eterna' ends in '-a', it is used to describe feminine nouns (like 'vida' or 'espera'). If you were describing a masculine noun (like 'amor'), you would use 'eterno'.
Placement
Like most adjectives, 'eterna' usually goes after the noun (la vida eterna). Placing it before the noun (la eterna vida) often adds poetic emphasis.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mismatching Gender
Mistake: "La espera fue eterno."
Correction: La espera fue eterna. (Since 'espera' is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Exaggeration
Spanish speakers often use 'eterna' to exaggerate when something feels very long, even if it's not truly forever (e.g., 'La reunión fue eterna').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: eterna
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'eterna'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'eterno' and 'eterna'?
'Eterno' is the masculine form, used for masculine nouns (el tiempo eterno, the eternal time). 'Eterna' is the feminine form, used for feminine nouns (la luz eterna, the eternal light). They mean the exact same thing.