países
pah-EE-sehs
📝 In Action
Hay muchos países diferentes en el mundo.
A1There are many different countries in the world.
Los países europeos tienen una historia muy compleja.
A2The European nations have a very complex history.
La cooperación entre los países es esencial para resolver problemas globales.
B1Cooperation between countries is essential to solve global problems.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Even though it ends in '-es', 'países' is the plural of the masculine noun 'el país', so you must use masculine articles and adjectives: 'los países grandes'.
Pronunciation Stress
The accent mark (tilde) on the 'í' in 'países' is crucial. It tells you to pronounce the 'a' and 'í' as two separate syllables (pa-Í-ses), not as one blended sound.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mispronunciation
Mistake: "Pronouncing it like 'PAI-ses' (stress on the first syllable)."
Correction: The stress is on the 'í': 'pa-Í-ses'. Remember the accent mark guides the stress.
Confusing Words
Mistake: "Using 'paisajes' when you mean 'países'."
Correction: 'Países' means countries. 'Paisajes' means landscapes (views or scenery).
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'País' vs. 'Nación'
'Países' is the standard, everyday word for a country. 'Naciones' often sounds more formal or refers more to the people or cultural identity than the physical territory.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: países
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'países'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'países' have an accent mark?
The accent mark (tilde) on the 'í' is used to force the separation of the vowels 'a' and 'í' into two distinct syllables (pa-Í-ses). Without the accent, Spanish speakers might try to blend them into one sound, which would be incorrect.
Is 'países' the same as 'naciones'?
They are very similar synonyms. 'Países' usually refers to the physical or political territory, while 'naciones' often emphasizes the collective group of people, culture, or identity.