siguiente
/see-GYEN-tay/
next
As an adjective, siguiente means 'next' or 'following,' referring to the item immediately after the current one in a sequence.
📝 In Action
La siguiente parada es el museo.
A1The next stop is the museum.
Nos vemos la semana siguiente.
A1See you next week.
Abra el libro en la página siguiente.
A2Open the book to the next page.
El capítulo siguiente explica el problema en detalle.
B1The following chapter explains the problem in detail.
💡 Grammar Points
Where to Place 'Siguiente'
Unlike in English, siguiente almost always comes after the thing it describes. Think 'the page next' (la página siguiente) instead of 'the next page'.
One Form Fits All
siguiente is an easy adjective because it doesn't change for masculine or feminine. It's always siguiente. For example: el tren siguiente (the next train) and la estación siguiente (the next station).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Siguiente' vs. 'Próximo'
Mistake: "Voy a España la siguiente semana."
Correction: Voy a España la próxima semana. Use `siguiente` for something immediately following in a sequence you're talking about now (e.g., 'the next stop'). Use `próximo` for something coming up in the future (e.g., 'next week', 'next year').
⭐ Usage Tips
Giving Instructions
When you're giving steps or listing things, siguiente is perfect for 'next'. For example: 'Primero, mezcla los ingredientes. Siguiente, añade la sal.' (First, mix the ingredients. Next, add the salt.)
Used as a pronoun (e.g., el siguiente, la siguiente), siguiente means 'the next one,' allowing you to refer to a noun without repeating it.
siguiente(Pronoun)
the next one
?referring to a person or thing
the following
?referring to an idea or statement
📝 In Action
Este coche es muy lento. Prefiero el siguiente.
A2This car is very slow. I prefer the next one.
La pregunta anterior fue fácil, pero la siguiente es muy difícil.
B1The previous question was easy, but the next one is very difficult.
No entendí lo siguiente que dijo el profesor.
B2I didn't understand the next thing the professor said.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'el', 'la', and 'lo'
To use siguiente to mean 'the next one,' just add an article in front: el siguiente (for a masculine thing), la siguiente (for a feminine thing), or lo siguiente (for a general idea or unknown thing).
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking About 'What's Next'
To talk about 'what's next' in a more abstract way, like in a meeting or a story, use lo siguiente. For example: 'Lo siguiente en la agenda es...' (The next thing on the agenda is...).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: siguiente
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'Let's read the next page'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'siguiente' and 'próximo'?
Think of it this way: `siguiente` is about a sequence that's already happening. If you're on a bus, the stop after this one is 'la siguiente parada'. `próximo` is about the future from where you are now. 'Next week' is 'la próxima semana' because it's the next one on the calendar from today. You can't say 'la semana siguiente' unless you were just talking about this week and want to refer to the one that follows it.
Can I ever put 'siguiente' before the noun, like 'la siguiente página'?
Yes, you can, and you'll definitely hear it sometimes. It's not strictly wrong, but placing it *after* the noun ('la página siguiente') is much more common and sounds more natural in everyday speech. When you're starting out, it's a good habit to put it after.