piratas
/pee-RAH-tas/
pirates
This illustrates piratas as sea robbers, showing a classic buccaneer figure.
📝 In Action
Los piratas del Caribe buscaban cofres de oro.
A1The pirates of the Caribbean were looking for chests of gold.
En el siglo XVII, los piratas eran una amenaza constante para el comercio marítimo.
B1In the 17th century, pirates were a constant threat to maritime trade.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Noun Agreement
'Piratas' is the plural form of 'pirata' (pirate). Even when referring to a mixed-gender group, the word takes the masculine plural ending ('-as' often sounds like the feminine ending, but here it's simply the plural ending for this noun).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Singular and Plural
Mistake: "Usar 'pirata' cuando hablas de muchos."
Correction: Use 'pirata' for one person and 'piratas' for two or more people. The word ends in 'a' in the singular, which is unusual for a masculine noun, but the plural is regular.
Piratas can also describe something that is illegally copied or 'pirated,' such as unauthorized media.
📝 In Action
Las películas piratas se venden en la calle a un precio muy bajo.
B1Pirated movies are sold on the street at a very low price.
Debemos evitar descargar software piratas, ya que pueden contener virus.
B2We must avoid downloading pirated software, as it might contain viruses.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'piratas' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. For example, 'juegos piratas' (masculine plural) or 'canciones piratas' (feminine plural).
⭐ Usage Tips
Modern Usage
This meaning is very common when talking about digital media, downloads, and intellectual property theft.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: piratas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'piratas' as an adjective, describing something illegally copied?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'pirata' (singular) end in 'a' if it refers to a man?
Some Spanish nouns that refer to a profession or role, like 'pirata' (pirate) or 'dentista' (dentist), keep the '-a' ending regardless of the person's gender. When you use it in a sentence, you change the article: 'el pirata' (the male pirate) or 'la pirata' (the female pirate).
Can 'piratas' be used to describe hackers or data thieves?
Yes, absolutely! While the original meaning relates to the sea, 'piratas' is often used metaphorically today to describe individuals or groups who illegally copy software, music, or steal data online.