popular
/poh-poo-LAHR/
popular
A well-liked toy or activity is described using 'popular' (well-liked or common).
popular(adjective)
popular
?well-liked or common
,fashionable
?trendy or current
well-known
?widely recognized
📝 In Action
Esa banda de música se hizo muy popular en España.
A2That music band became very popular in Spain.
Es un destino turístico muy popular durante el verano.
A2It is a very popular tourist destination during the summer.
La comida rápida es popular por ser barata y rápida.
B1Fast food is popular because it is cheap and quick.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Form
As an adjective, 'popular' is the same whether you are describing a masculine person/thing (el libro popular) or a feminine person/thing (la canción popular). It only changes for the plural: populares.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Ser
Always use the verb ser (to be) with popular because being popular is treated as a defining, long-lasting characteristic, not a temporary state.
This image shows 'the people' gathered in a public space, illustrating 'popular' in the context of relating to the public.
popular(adjective)
popular
?relating to the people or the public
folk
?related to traditional culture
📝 In Action
El gobierno debe escuchar la voluntad popular.
B2The government must listen to the popular will (the will of the people).
El arte popular de México es muy colorido.
B1The folk art of Mexico is very colorful.
Se organizaron protestas populares contra la nueva ley.
C1Popular protests (protests by the people) were organized against the new law.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Contexts
When you see 'popular' used in conjunction with words like 'voto,' 'soberanía,' or 'voluntad,' it usually means that the item is directly connected to or derived from the citizens of a country.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: popular
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'popular' to mean 'relating to the common people' (Definition 2)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'popular' change its ending for masculine and feminine nouns?
No, 'popular' is one of those helpful adjectives that stays the same whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., *el deporte popular* / *la opinión popular*). You only need to change it to 'populares' for plural nouns.
Is 'popular' related to the word 'pueblo'?
Yes, absolutely! They share the same root in Latin, *populus* (people). Think of 'popular' as 'of the pueblo' or 'of the people.'