leal

leh-AHL

Adjectivem/fB1

loyal?describing a person or relationship

Also:faithful?showing constant support,true?sincere in allegiance

📝 In Action

Mi perro es muy leal y nunca se separa de mí.

My dog is very loyal and never leaves my side.

Necesitamos un equipo de trabajo leal para completar este proyecto difícil.

We need a loyal work team to complete this difficult project.

A pesar de las dificultades, siempre se mantuvo leal a sus principios.

Despite the difficulties, he always remained true to his principles.

Word Connections

Synonyms

fiel (faithful)
honesto (honest)
sincero (sincere)

Antonyms

desleal (disloyal)
traidor (traitorous)

Common Collocations

amigo leal – loyal friend
ser leal a – to be loyal to

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Agreement (Gender)

Since 'leal' ends in a consonant ('l'), it uses the exact same form whether you are describing a masculine person/thing (un amigo leal) or a feminine person/thing (una amiga leal). It doesn't change from 'leal' to 'leala'.

Adjective Agreement (Number)

To make 'leal' plural (meaning more than one), you must add '-es': 'los amigos leales' (the loyal friends) and 'las amigas leales'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the Plural Ending

Mistake: "Mis padres son muy leal."

Correction: Mis padres son muy leales. (Always remember to add '-es' when describing plural nouns, even if the singular form doesn't change for gender.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Leal' vs. 'Fiel'

'Leal' emphasizes allegiance, duty, and commitment to a person, organization, or idea. 'Fiel' often emphasizes trustworthiness, accuracy, and sometimes religious faith.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: leal

Question 1 of 2

Which Spanish word is the noun form of 'leal'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

lealtad(loyalty (noun)) - noun

desleal(disloyal (adjective)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'leal' used only for people?

While it is most commonly used for people (friends, employees, citizens) and animals (like dogs), you can also use 'leal' to describe abstract things like principles, organizations, or traditions that remain true to their original purpose.

What is the difference between 'leal' and 'fiel'?

They are very similar synonyms. 'Leal' often implies a deep commitment or devotion to a person or cause. 'Fiel' focuses more on being trustworthy, accurate, or true to one's word. Often, they can be used interchangeably.