ópera
/OH-peh-rah/
opera
Illustrating ópera as the musical art form or performance.
📝 In Action
Mi abuela siempre escucha ópera italiana en la radio.
A1My grandmother always listens to Italian opera on the radio.
Vamos a ver una ópera de Mozart este fin de semana.
A2We are going to see a Mozart opera this weekend.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule Exception
Even though 'ópera' starts with a stressed 'o' sound, it always uses the feminine article 'la' (la ópera), unlike words like 'agua' (el agua).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Pronunciation of the Accent
Mistake: "Saying 'opera' without stressing the first syllable."
Correction: The accent mark tells you to stress the first syllable: Ó-pe-ra. This is crucial for correct Spanish pronunciation.
⭐ Usage Tips
Referring to Soap Operas
While 'ópera' can be used on its own, the full term for a TV soap opera is 'telenovela' or 'culebrón' (more informal).
Illustrating ópera as the building, or opera house.
📝 In Action
La ópera de Sídney es un edificio muy famoso.
B1The Sydney Opera House is a very famous building.
Nos encontramos en la entrada de la ópera a las siete.
B1We will meet at the entrance of the opera house at seven.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context Clues
If you are talking about architecture, location, or meeting a friend, 'ópera' likely means the physical building.
Illustrating ópera used to describe a melodramatic or dramatic situation.
📝 In Action
¡Qué ópera! Llevamos tres horas discutiendo por algo tan simple.
B2What a drama! We have been arguing for three hours over something so simple.
Su vida amorosa es una ópera constante: rupturas, reconciliaciones, y gritos.
C1His love life is a constant opera: breakups, reconciliations, and shouting.
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Usage
This meaning is generally used in casual conversation to exaggerate how dramatic a situation is. It's often accompanied by an exclamation.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ópera
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es el significado más común de 'ópera'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'ópera' masculino o femenino?
'Ópera' is always feminine. You must use the feminine article 'la': 'la ópera' (the opera). Remember this, even though it starts with a stressed 'o' sound.
¿Cómo se dice 'soap opera' en español?
The most common word for a TV soap opera is 'telenovela'. Sometimes the term 'ópera jabón' (a literal translation) is used humorously, but 'telenovela' is the correct term for television dramas.