héroe
/EH-roh-eh (The stress is on the first syllable)/
hero
A hero (héroe) is a brave or admired person.
📝 In Action
El bombero fue un héroe al salvar a la familia del incendio.
A2The firefighter was a hero for saving the family from the fire.
Mi abuela es mi héroe personal; ella ha superado muchos desafíos.
B1My grandmother is my personal hero; she has overcome many challenges.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Plural
Even though 'héroe' is typically masculine, it can refer to a woman when talking about a recognized achievement. If you want to specify a woman, use 'heroína'. The plural is 'héroes'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Silent 'H'
Mistake: "Pronouncing the 'h' sound at the beginning of the word."
Correction: The 'h' in 'héroe' is silent, just like in 'hola'. Say EH-roh-eh, not HEH-roh-eh.
⭐ Usage Tips
Everyday Usage
You can use 'héroe' informally to praise someone who did something difficult for you, like 'Eres un héroe por arreglar mi coche' (You’re a hero for fixing my car).
The main character or protagonist in fiction is also called the hero (héroe).
📝 In Action
El héroe de la novela tuvo que viajar a tierras lejanas.
B1The hero of the novel had to travel to distant lands.
En la mitología griega, Hércules es un famoso héroe.
B2In Greek mythology, Hercules is a famous hero.
⭐ Usage Tips
Literary Context
This meaning is often encountered in academic discussions, book reviews, or when discussing epics and myths.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: héroe
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'héroe'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make 'héroe' plural?
The plural is 'héroes'. Since it ends in a vowel, you add '-s' but because of the stress pattern and the vowel combination, it’s treated slightly irregularly. Just remember the full word: 'héroe' (singular) -> 'héroes' (plural).
If a woman performs a heroic deed, should I call her 'héroe' or 'heroína'?
Both are acceptable. 'Heroína' is the correct feminine term (heroine). However, it is very common in modern Spanish to use the masculine 'héroe' for people of any gender when referring to the admired quality or achievement.