individuos
/een-dee-BEE-dwos/
individuals
A single member standing out from a larger group.
individuos(noun)
individuals
?referring to single members of a larger group
people
?when counting specific units in a study or report
📝 In Action
La sociedad está compuesta por muchos individuos diferentes.
B1Society is made up of many different individuals.
El médico analizó a diez individuos para el estudio.
B2The doctor analyzed ten individuals for the study.
💡 Grammar Points
Plurality
This is the plural form of 'individuo.' Since it ends in a vowel, we just add '-s' to make it plural.
Gender in Groups
Even if a group includes women, 'individuos' (the masculine form) is used to refer to the group as a whole.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Individuos vs. Personas
Mistake: "Using 'individuos' to talk about your friends."
Correction: Use 'personas' or 'gente' for everyday social situations. 'Individuos' sounds a bit like a biology textbook or a police report.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to use it
Use 'individuos' when you want to sound professional, scientific, or when you are emphasizing that everyone in a group is a separate unit.
A group of suspicious characters meeting in secret.
individuos(noun)
characters
?referring to people in a slightly suspicious way
guys
?unknown or shady men
📝 In Action
Había dos individuos merodeando por el edificio.
B2There were two characters/guys loitering around the building.
⭐ Usage Tips
Shady Vibe
In daily conversation, calling someone an 'individuo' often implies you don't know them or you don't trust them.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: individuos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'individuos' in a formal, scientific way?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'individuos' to refer to a group of women?
Yes. In Spanish, the masculine plural 'individuos' is the general term for a group of people regardless of gender. While 'individuas' exists, it is very rare and often sounds derogatory.
Is 'individuos' the same as 'personas'?
They are similar, but 'personas' is the warm, everyday word for 'people.' 'Individuos' is colder, more technical, or used to describe someone you don't know.