El problema es financiero.

to be

Breakdown of El problema es financiero.

• el problema: the problem
• financiero: financial

Questions & Answers about El problema es financiero.

Why is “problema” treated as a masculine noun even though it ends in an “a”?

Although many Spanish words ending in –a are feminine, “problema” is an exception. It’s of Greek origin, and despite its –a ending, it is masculine. That’s why we use the masculine article “el” and the adjective “financiero” in its masculine form.

Why is the verb “ser” used instead of “estar” in this sentence?

“Ser” is used to express inherent or defining characteristics. In this sentence, “El problema es financiero” tells us that the problem’s nature is fundamentally financial, rather than referring to a temporary or changeable state, which would require “estar.”

What role does the adjective “financiero” play in the sentence?

“Financiero” is a predicate adjective. It follows the linking verb “es” and describes the essential quality of “el problema.” It agrees in gender (masculine) with the noun “problema.”

Why is the adjective placed after the verb rather than directly before the noun?

In Spanish, when an adjective is used as a predicate—meaning it comes after a linking verb like “es”—it serves as a complement that describes the subject. Placing “financiero” after “es” clearly indicates that it is describing the nature of the problem rather than functioning as a direct modifier.

How does “El problema es financiero” compare to its English structure?

The sentence directly translates to “The problem is financial.” Both Spanish and English use a similar structure in this case: subject (“the problem”/“el problema”), linking verb (“is”/“es”), and adjective (“financial”/“financiero”). However, Spanish requires close attention to gender agreement between the noun and the adjective.

Is this sentence construction common in Latin American Spanish?

Yes, this construction is standard across Spanish dialects, including Latin American Spanish. The rules for using “ser” to express inherent qualities, as well as the gender agreement rules for adjectives, apply universally in the language.