águila
/AH-ghee-lah/
eagle
Águila (eagle): Depicting the powerful bird of prey.
📝 In Action
El águila real es el símbolo de muchos países.
A1The golden eagle is the symbol of many countries.
Vimos un águila volando sobre los picos de las montañas.
A2We saw an eagle flying over the mountain peaks.
💡 Grammar Points
The Tricky Article Rule
Even though 'águila' is a feminine word, in the singular, we use the masculine article 'el' (el águila) because the word starts with a strong 'a' sound. This is only for sound, the word is still feminine.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Adjective Gender
Mistake: "La águila majestuoso (using the feminine article 'la' and masculine adjective 'majestuoso')."
Correction: El águila majestuosa (use the masculine article 'el' in the singular, but keep the feminine adjective 'majestuosa').
⭐ Usage Tips
Plural Form
In the plural, the article reverts to the feminine form: 'Las águilas son grandes' (The eagles are big).
Águila (sharp person): Referring to someone quick-witted or highly intelligent.
águila(Noun)
sharp person
?someone intelligent, insightful, or quick-witted
whiz
?informal expert
📝 In Action
Para las matemáticas, mi hermana es un águila.
B2When it comes to math, my sister is a whiz/sharp mind.
Necesitamos un águila como tú para resolver este problema.
C1We need an eagle/sharp person like you to solve this problem.
⭐ Usage Tips
Applying to People
When used figuratively to describe a person, the article 'un' or 'una' is usually used, and the word 'águila' itself remains feminine, regardless of the person's gender. 'Mi padre es un águila para la inversión' (My father is an eagle for investment).
Águila (heads): Referring to the side of a coin that typically displays an emblem or head.
📝 In Action
¿Águila o sol? Tira la moneda para decidir.
B1Heads or tails? Flip the coin to decide.
Cayó águila, así que tú empiezas el juego.
B1It landed on heads, so you start the game.
⭐ Usage Tips
Coin Flipping Terminology
In many Spanish-speaking countries, the general terms 'cara' (heads/face) and 'cruz' (tails/cross) are used. However, 'águila' is the specific and very common term for 'heads' in Mexico and parts of Central America.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: águila
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the article and adjective agreement for 'águila'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see 'el águila' if the word is feminine?
This is a special rule in Spanish for feminine nouns that start with a strongly stressed 'a' sound (like 'a-guila'). We use 'el' instead of 'la' in the singular only to avoid the awkward double 'a' sound ('la águila'), but the word's feminine identity never changes.
Is 'águila' used for the 'heads' side of a coin everywhere?
No. While understood, this usage is most common and standard in Mexico and Central America, where the coin side often features the national eagle emblem. In Spain and other regions, 'cara' (face) is more common.