Gendered Spanish and inclusive forms in everyday speech

Key rules

• Generic masculine: Standard Spanish uses the masculine plural for mixed groups, and it is not treated as discriminatory.
• Inclusive forms: The -e ending and the symbols @ and x are not standard, so expect them mainly in activist, LGBTQ+ and university circles.
• Safe wording: Collective nouns like el alumnado and phrases with las personas are understood and accepted everywhere.
• Your own gender: You can state your preferred form directly, and people in big cities are generally tolerant.

The short version

Spanish shows gender all the time, in nouns, articles and adjectives. Standard Spanish uses the masculine plural for mixed or unspecified groups. Inclusive forms such as elle and todes are not standard. Neutral wording that avoids the problem works almost everywhere.

How gender shows up in Spanish

Every noun is masculine or feminine, and the words around it change to match. Speakers say el amigo or la amiga, and contento or contenta. When you introduce yourself, an adjective can show your gender without you meaning to.

For a mixed or unspecified group, Spanish uses the masculine plural, as in los alumnos or los padres. Standard Spanish treats this as grammatical, not as discrimination.

Where inclusive forms stand

The -e ending (todes, elle) and the symbols @ and x are not accepted in standard Spanish. You will see them in some activist, LGBTQ+ and university circles, and the Spanish government has issued guidance on inclusive language. Political views on the topic differ. In public documents the -e form is rare.

What is accepted can differ by region, university or administration. If you study or work somewhere with its own style guide, follow that guide.

Neutral wording that works almost anywhere

Instead of the generic masculine, use one of these:

• Collective nouns: el alumnado, el profesorado, la ciudadanía.
• Las personas plus an adjective: las personas interesadas.
• Dropping the subject, since Spanish often does not need it.
• Doublets: los alumnos y las alumnas. Standard Spanish sees them as unnecessary in most cases, but they are understood and many public bodies use them.
• The slash form (alumno/a) is fine on forms.

Many public bodies, universities and ministries use these options in their own style guides, so you will see them in official paperwork.

Introducing yourself

Pronouns are less standard in introductions in Spain than in English-speaking countries. Attitudes are generally tolerant, especially in big cities.

If you want to avoid gendered adjectives, rephrase. Say tengo ganas de... instead of estoy contento/a.

If you want people to use a particular form, say so directly. You can name your pronouns (él, ella or elle) or ask people to speak to you in the masculine, the feminine or the neutral. A short request such as Por favor, usa el femenino is clear and polite. If someone assumes the wrong gender, a simple correction is enough. State your gender and ask them to use it.

Elle is understood in LGBTQ+ circles but not widely in the mainstream. Outside those circles, add a short explanation the first time.

Since the 2023 trans law, adults can change their legal gender by self-declaration.

What to do in practice

1. Use neutral wording when you write to groups, such as in emails to a landlord's agency, a school or a community.
2. Copy the style of the person or organisation you are writing to.
3. Use the -e forms with people who use them themselves, and expect to explain them elsewhere.

The warning and the questions below cover common slips and corrections.

What to watch out for

• Neutral endings can confuse or put people off: Forms like todes, the -e ending, @ and x are not accepted by the RAE, Spain's language academy. They are rare in public documents, and political views on them vary. Use them with friends or in circles that already use them. In formal settings, use collective nouns such as el alumnado or las personas.

• Pronouns like elle may not be understood: Elle is understood in LGBTQ+ circles but not widely in the mainstream, and stating pronouns in introductions is less standard than in English-speaking countries. Explain briefly what you prefer, or avoid gendered adjectives, for example tengo ganas instead of estoy contento or contenta.

• Spanish shows gender in adjectives and articles: Spanish adjectives and articles often reveal gender, so people may assume yours when you introduce yourself. Correct it plainly, for example Soy un hombre, por favor, or Soy una mujer, por favor.

Guidance on inclusive language differs by region, university and administration, so check the style of the office you deal with.

Frequently asked questions

What can I say instead of the generic masculine like los alumnos?

You can use collective nouns such as el alumnado, la ciudadanía, el profesorado or las personas instead of the generic masculine. You can also use a doublet like los alumnos y las alumnas, or drop the subject altogether. The RAE, Spain's language academy, sees the doublet as unnecessary, but the slash form is fine in forms.

Will people understand it if I use elle or todes?

People in LGBTQ+, activist and some university circles understand elle and todes, but most people in the mainstream do not. The RAE does not accept them, and they are rare in public documents. If you want to be understood by everyone, use neutral wording such as tengo ganas instead of estoy contento or contenta.

How do I correct someone who uses the wrong gender for me in Spanish?

You can correct it simply by saying what you prefer, for example Soy un hombre, por favor, or Soy una mujer, por favor. You can also say which form to use with you, such as que te hablen en masculino, femenino o neutro. Attitudes are generally tolerant, especially in big cities, but stating pronouns is less common than in English-speaking countries.