son
“son” means “are” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
are
📝 In Action
Ellos son mis hermanos.
A1They are my brothers.
Las sillas son de madera.
A1The chairs are made of wood.
Ustedes son de México, ¿verdad?
A2You all are from Mexico, right?
Son las cinco de la tarde.
A1It's five in the afternoon.
sound
Also: tune
📝 In Action
Bailaron al son de la música.
B1They danced to the sound of the music.
Me gusta el dulce son de tu voz.
B2I like the sweet sound of your voice.
El poeta escribió sobre el son del mar.
C1The poet wrote about the sound of the sea.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: son
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'son' correctly?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'son' has two different origins. As a verb, it comes from the Latin 'sunt', meaning 'they are'. As a noun, it comes from the Latin 'sonus', meaning 'sound'.
First recorded: Both forms have existed since the early stages of the Spanish language, around the 10th-12th centuries.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'son' and 'están'?
Both mean 'they are', but you use them in different situations. Use 'son' (from 'ser') for more permanent things like identity, profession, or characteristics ('Ellos son altos' - They are tall). Use 'están' (from 'estar') for temporary states and locations ('Ellos están cansados' - They are tired; 'Ellos están en casa' - They are at home).
Is 'son' always about multiple people?
Yes, when it's a verb, 'son' refers to 'they' or 'you all'. However, remember that it can also be a noun meaning 'sound' or 'tune', in which case it's a singular thing, 'el son'.