primera

/pree-MEH-rah/

first

Depicting 'primera' as the adjective signifying sequence, highlighting the first item in a line of feminine objects.

primera(Adjective)

fA1

first?Used to describe the order or sequence of something feminine.

Also:prime?e.g., 'materia primera' - prime/raw material,main?e.g., 'la causa primera' - the main cause

📝 In Action

Es mi primera vez en México.

It's my first time in Mexico.

La primera lección es sobre los saludos.

The first lesson is about greetings.

Vivimos en la primera casa a la derecha.

We live in the first house on the right.

Word Connections

Synonyms

inicial (initial)

Antonyms

última (last, final)

Common Collocations

la primera vez – the first time
a primera vista – at first sight
de primera clase – first-class
primera dama – first lady

Idioms & Expressions

de primera mano – To know something directly from the source.
no tener ni la primera letra – To be completely ignorant about a subject.

💡 Grammar Points

Matching with Feminine Words

'Primera' is the feminine form of 'primero'. You must use it with words that are feminine, like 'casa' (house), 'vez' (time), or 'persona' (person).

It Never Changes Before a Noun

The masculine form 'primero' changes to 'primer' before a masculine word (like 'primer día'). However, 'primera' always stays 'primera', it never shortens.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'primero' for a feminine word

Mistake: "Es mi *primero* vez aquí."

Correction: Es mi *primera* vez aquí. Because 'vez' is a feminine word, the adjective describing it must also be feminine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Dates and Sequences

Use 'primera' for the first day of the month when you're talking about a feminine noun, like 'la primera semana de enero' (the first week of January). Note that for the day itself, you use 'el primero de enero'.

A hand pointing emphatically at the leftmost skirt hanging on a colorful clothing rack, representing the choice of 'the first one'.

Visualizing 'la primera' as the noun replacement for 'the first one' being selected from a group of feminine options.

primera(Noun)

fA2

the first one?Referring to a feminine noun already mentioned.

Also:first gear?When talking about driving a manual car.

📝 In Action

¿Qué falda te gusta más, esta o esa? — La primera.

Which skirt do you like more, this one or that one? — The first one.

Para arrancar en una cuesta, tienes que poner primera.

To start on a hill, you have to put it in first gear.

De todas las opciones, la primera es la mejor.

Of all the options, the first one is the best.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

poner primera – to put in first gear
meter primera – to put/get into first gear

💡 Grammar Points

Acting as a Stand-in

When used this way, 'la primera' acts as a shortcut. It stands in for a feminine noun that you just talked about so you don't have to say it again.

⭐ Usage Tips

Always with 'la'

When 'primera' means 'the first one', it almost always comes with 'la' in front of it. This little word 'la' is the clue that it's being used as a noun.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: primera

Question 1 of 1

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'La ___ vez que visité París fue inolvidable.'

📚 More Resources

Word Family

primero(first (masculine)) - adjective/adverb

primo(cousin / prime (number)) - noun/adjective

primordial(primordial, fundamental) - adjective

primariamente(primarily) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'primera', 'primero', and 'primer'?

It's all about matching the word it describes! Use 'primera' for feminine things ('la primera casa'). Use 'primero' when it stands alone ('él llegó primero') or comes after a masculine word ('el piso primero'). Use 'primer' when it comes *before* a masculine word ('el primer día').

Can I say 'la primer persona'?

No, that's a common mistake. Because 'persona' is a feminine word, you must always use 'la primera persona'. The shortened form 'primer' is only for masculine words.