nido
/nee-doh/
nest
The most literal meaning of nido is a bird's nest.
📝 In Action
El pájaro carpintero hizo su nido en el tronco de un roble.
A1The woodpecker made its nest in the trunk of an oak tree.
Es peligroso acercarse al nido cuando hay crías dentro.
A2It is dangerous to approach the nest when there are young inside.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Since 'nido' ends in -o, it is masculine. Remember to always use the masculine article 'el' (el nido).
⭐ Usage Tips
Visualizing the word
Think of 'nido' primarily as the structure a bird builds high up in a tree or on a cliff.
Nido can also metaphorically refer to a cozy and cherished home.
📝 In Action
Después de la universidad, volví a mi nido familiar por un tiempo.
B1After university, I returned to my family home/haven for a while.
Este pueblo es mi nido; no importa dónde vaya, siempre vuelvo.
B2This town is my birthplace; no matter where I go, I always return.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'nido' for any house
Mistake: "Mi nido es grande."
Correction: Mi casa es grande. ('Nido' implies warmth and belonging, use 'casa' for a neutral building description.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Emotional Connection
Use 'nido' when you want to emphasize comfort, security, or a deep sense of belonging to a place, not just the physical structure.
In a negative context, nido can mean a hotbed or center of unwanted activity.
nido(noun)
hotbed
?center of negative activity
,den
?hideout for criminals
breeding ground
?source of a problem
📝 In Action
La investigación reveló que la oficina era un nido de corrupción.
C1The investigation revealed that the office was a hotbed of corruption.
El barrio se había convertido en un nido de actividades ilegales.
C2The neighborhood had become a den of illegal activities.
⭐ Usage Tips
Negative Context
This meaning is always paired with a negative idea (e.g., crime, vice, corruption) to show where the bad activity originates or gathers.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: nido
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'nido' in its most common, literal sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'nido' ever feminine?
No. 'Nido' is always a masculine noun ('el nido'). Even though some nouns ending in '-a' are masculine, and some ending in '-o' are feminine, 'nido' follows the standard pattern for nouns ending in '-o'.
What is the difference between 'nido' and 'hogar' when talking about home?
Both mean 'home,' but 'nido' often emphasizes the cozy, sheltered, or intimate feeling—it’s like your personal retreat. 'Hogar' is broader and means 'hearth' or 'household'—it focuses on the family and the emotional center of the home.