Difference between "Primer" and "Primero" in Spanish

1 / 2 Exercise >

Primer

- Short form of "primero".
- "Primer" is used in place of "primero" when it goes before a masculine, singular noun. In English: "first"

Example 1:

Yuri Gagarin fue el primer hombre en volar al espacio.

(Yuri Gagarin was the first man to fly into space.)

Example 2:

Este es el primer viaje que hago sola.

(This is the first trip that I will do alone.)

Primero / Primera

- "Primero" is used whenever the conditions for "primer" aren't met (read above).
- "Primera" (feminine form of "primero") is used with feminine nouns.

Example 3:

Roberto siempre fue el primero en llegar al trabajo.

(Roberto was always the first to get to work.)

Example 4:

Dilma Rousseff fue la primera mujer que llegó a ser presidente de Brasil.

(Dilma Rousseff was the first woman to become president of Brazil.)

- Important: The short form "primer" is optional when it is connected by a coordinating conjunction with another adjective.

Example 5:

Los estudiantes del primero (primer) y segundo año visitarán un museo.

(Students of the first and second years will visit a museum.)

1 / 2 Exercise >

:: tip #

Report error

Learn today

Dejar plantado (a alguien)
To stand up, to dump
Meaning: do not go on a date with someone.
more...