ganador
/gah-nah-DOR/
winner
When 'ganador' is a noun, it refers to the winner, the person who achieved victory.
📝 In Action
El ganador de la carrera levantó el trofeo.
A2The winner of the race lifted the trophy.
¿Quién fue el ganador del debate anoche?
B1Who was the winner of the debate last night?
El equipo necesita un ganador, no solo un buen jugador.
B2The team needs a winner, not just a good player.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Change
This word changes gender to match the person: 'ganador' is for a masculine winner, and 'ganadora' is for a feminine winner.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Verb
Mistake: "Using the verb form when you need the noun: 'Él es el ganar.'"
Correction: Use the noun form: 'Él es el ganador.' (He is the winner.)
⭐ Usage Tips
The Root Verb
Remember that 'ganador' comes directly from the verb 'ganar' (to win or to earn), making the meaning easy to remember.
As an adjective, 'ganador' means winning, often used to describe a successful team or strategy.
ganador(adjective)
winning
?describing a team/streak
successful
?describing a strategy/attitude
📝 In Action
Tienen un espíritu ganador que los impulsa.
B1They have a winning spirit that drives them.
Esta estrategia no es ganadora; necesitamos cambiarla.
B2This strategy is not a winning one; we need to change it.
El equipo visitante tuvo el tiro ganador en el último segundo.
B1The visiting team had the winning shot in the last second.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'ganador' must match the thing it describes in both number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine). For example: 'estrategia ganadora' (feminine singular).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Positioning
Mistake: "Sometimes learners forget that adjectives often go after the noun: 'un ganador espíritu.'"
Correction: It usually sounds most natural after the noun: 'un espíritu ganador' (a winning spirit).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ganador
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine form of the word?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make 'ganador' feminine or plural?
To make it feminine, change the 'o' to an 'a': 'ganadora.' To make either form plural, just add 'es': 'ganadores' (m. plural) or 'ganadoras' (f. plural).
Is 'ganador' only used for sports?
No. While very common in sports, you can use 'ganador' to describe success in any field—business, politics, debates, or even just having a 'winning attitude' ('actitud ganadora').