📝 In Action
En México, el maíz es la base de casi toda la comida.
A1In Mexico, corn is the base of almost all the food.
Necesitamos comprar una bolsa de maíz para hacer palomitas.
A2We need to buy a bag of corn to make popcorn.
Los agricultores cultivan maíz y frijoles en el campo.
B1The farmers grow maize and beans in the field.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Rule
Even though 'maíz' ends in 'z', it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el maíz'.
The Accent Mark
The accent on the 'í' means the stress falls heavily on the second syllable: ma-ÍZ. This is why you hear /mah-EES/ and not MA-iz.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Regional Terms
Mistake: "Using 'maíz' when you mean 'elote' or 'choclo'."
Correction: While 'maíz' is the general term for the grain, many regions use different words for the ear of corn itself (like 'elote' in Mexico or 'choclo' in parts of South America). Stick to 'maíz' when talking about the kernel or processed grain.
⭐ Usage Tips
Food Staple
When discussing food in Latin America, 'maíz' is a key ingredient. Use it often when discussing tortillas, tamales, and arepas!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: maíz
Question 1 of 2
Which article must you use before 'maíz'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'maíz' have an accent mark?
The accent mark is there to tell you exactly where to put the stress. If it didn't have the accent, the stress would naturally fall on the first syllable (MA-iz), but Spanish speakers put the stress on the 'i' (ma-ÍZ), so the accent is necessary to show that unusual pronunciation.
Is 'maíz' countable or uncountable?
It is usually treated as an uncountable noun (like 'rice' or 'water') when referring to the grain in general ('Necesito maíz'). However, you can make it plural ('maíces') when referring to different types or varieties of corn.