permanente
/per-ma-NEN-te/
permanent
When something is described as permanente (permanent), it means it is lasting forever or for a very long time, like this enduring stone lighthouse.
permanente(adjective)
permanent
?lasting forever or for a long time
,lasting
?enduring
constant
?unwavering or continuous
,standing
?e.g., a standing committee
📝 In Action
Necesitamos una solución permanente a este problema.
A2We need a permanent solution to this problem.
El daño al edificio no es permanente, se puede reparar.
A1The damage to the building is not permanent; it can be repaired.
Ella tiene un puesto permanente en la universidad.
B1She has a permanent position at the university.
💡 Grammar Points
Always the Same
As an adjective, 'permanente' always keeps the same ending ('-e'), whether it describes a masculine or feminine person or thing (e.g., 'el cambio permanente' and 'la solución permanente').
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Ser'
Because 'permanente' describes an inherent, lasting quality, it almost always pairs with the verb 'ser' (to be) rather than 'estar'.
As a noun, permanente is the common Spanish word for a 'perm' (short for permanent wave), a hair treatment that creates lasting curls.
permanente(noun)
perm
?hair treatment (short for 'permanent wave')
permanent staff member
?a person on the permanent payroll (used as 'el/la permanente')
,permanent exhibition
?a lasting display (used as 'la permanente')
📝 In Action
Mi abuela se hace la permanente cada seis meses.
B1My grandmother gets a perm every six months.
La galería tiene una exposición permanente de arte moderno.
B2The gallery has a permanent exhibition of modern art.
💡 Grammar Points
The Noun Form
When referring to a hair treatment, 'permanente' is always feminine: 'la permanente'. It’s short for 'onda permanente' (permanent wave).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Genders
Mistake: "Using 'el permanente' for the hair treatment."
Correction: Always use 'la permanente' for the hair treatment, even though the word ends in '-e'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: permanente
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'permanente' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'permanente' always used with 'ser'?
Almost always! Since 'permanente' describes an unchanging, long-lasting quality (like the nature of a job or a solution), it requires the verb 'ser' (to be) to indicate that lasting characteristic.