A compound noun is a word formed from at least two other words. They are very common in the Spanish language. They allow you to create new nouns to express an idea while using words that already exist.

In many ways, the formation of compound nouns in Spanish is similar to that of English. However, it’s best to know the specifics of this type of word to make sure you’re using them correctly.

Characteristics of compound nouns in Spanish

In Spanish, compound nouns are always written as one word (without hyphens). The vast majority are in the masculine form, even if one of the nouns that form it is feminine.

If this compound noun refers to a person or an occupation, it will have the same masculine and feminine form.

• Un paraguas = An umbrella
• El bienestar = Wellness
• Un guardaespaldas / Una guardaespaldas = A bodyguard

Formation of compound nouns

To form a compound noun in Spanish, it is possible to assemble different types of words. However, the majority of compound words are created by combining a verb and a common noun to designate a specific object.

Verb + common noun

In order to create this type of compound word, all you have to do is combine a third person singular verb in the present indicative with a common noun written in the plural. This is why compound words always end with an “s”, even when they are in the singular. This kind of compound word is often used to designate an object that has a specific use or a profession.

• Guardar (keep/protect) + barro (mud) = Un guardabarros (a mudguard)
• Parar (Stop) + rayo (lightning) = Un pararrayos (a lightning rod)
• Romper (Break) + cabeza (head) = Un rombecabezas (a puzzle)

However, there are some exceptions of compound nouns that do not end with an “s”.

• Parar (Stop) + sol (sun) = Un parasol (an umbrella)
• Pasar (Pass) + tiempo (time) = Un pasatiempo (a hobby)

Adjective + noun

Some compound nouns are composed of an adjective and a noun. The adjective can be placed before the noun or after it. It agrees with the noun with which it forms the compound word.

Example :

• Cara (face) + dura (hard) = Caradura (stubborn)
• Alta (high) + voz (voice) = Altavoz (speaker)

Other forms

Many other kinds of words can be used to form a compound noun: adverbs, suffixes, prefixes, etc.

• Prefix + noun : Anti + terrorista (terrorist) = Antiterrorista (anti-terrorist)
• Adverb + noun : Mal (bad) + humor (mood) = Malhumor (bad mood)
• Adjective + adjective : Mal (mal) + educado (educated) = Maleducado (rude, unmannerly)
• Noun + noun : Medio (middle) + día (day) = Mediodía (noon)

List of compound nouns in Spanish

It is impossible to make an exhaustive list of Spanish compound nouns. The most common of them are the following:

• Un abrelatas = A can opener
• Los anteojos = A pair of glasses
• Un ciempiés = A centipede
• Un cumpleaños = A birthday 
• Un guardarropas = A closet
• Un lavacoches = A car wash
• Un lavaplatos = A dishwasher
• Un limpiaparabrisas = A windshield wiper
• Un matafuegos = A fire extinguisher
• El mediodía = Noon
• La medianoche = Midnight
• Un paracaídas = A parachute
• Un parachoques = A bumper
• Un paraguas = An umbrella
• Un pararrayos = A lightning rod
• Un parasol = A parasol
• Un pasatiempo = A hobby
• Un rascacielos = A skyscraper
• Un rompecabezas = A puzzle
• Un salvavidas = A life jacket
• Una telaraña = A spider’s web

👉 Practice! Exercise on Compound Nouns

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👉 Previous lesson: Plural of nouns

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