Log inSign up

Esta palabra es irregular.

Esta palabra es irregular.
This word is irregular.
FromLesson 24inHardcore Spanish (Latin America)

Breakdown of Esta palabra es irregular.

ser
to be
esta
this
la palabra
the word
irregular
irregular

Questions & Answers about Esta palabra es irregular.

Why is it esta and not este?
Because palabra is a feminine noun (it ends in -a), and Spanish demonstratives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Esta is the feminine singular form of “this,” while este is masculine singular.
What part of speech is esta in this sentence?
Here esta is a demonstrative adjective. It directly modifies the noun palabra, specifying which word we’re talking about (“this word”). Demonstrative adjectives in Spanish are este/esta/estos/estas.
Why does the adjective irregular follow palabra instead of coming before it?
The neutral word order for descriptive adjectives in Spanish is noun + adjective. So you say palabra irregular. Placing an adjective before the noun can add emphasis or a poetic nuance, but the standard descriptive order is after the noun.
Why do we use es (from ser) and not está (from estar)?
Ser is used for inherent or defining characteristics, like someone’s nationality or a word’s grammatical property. Since being “irregular” is an inherent trait of the word, we use es. Estar would imply a temporary state or location, which doesn’t fit here.
Does the adjective irregular change in gender or just in number?

Irregular is one of those adjectives ending in -r (specifically -ar) that has the same form for masculine and feminine in the singular. It only changes for the plural, where you add -es:
• Singular (m./f.): irregular
• Plural (m./f.): irregulares

How would I make this sentence plural?

You need to match gender and number for each word:
• esta → estas (feminine plural)
• palabra → palabras
• es → son (3rd person plural of ser)
• irregular → irregulares

Full sentence: Estas palabras son irregulares.

What’s the difference between esta palabra and la palabra?

• Esta palabra means “this word,” pointing to a specific word in the immediate context.
• La palabra means “the word,” referring more generally to a known or previously mentioned word or even the concept of “the word” in abstract.

Does esta need a written accent (ésta)?
No. Current Spanish orthography (per the RAE) does not require an accent on demonstrative pronouns or adjectives, even if they’re ambiguous. You simply write esta without a tilde.
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“How does verb conjugation work in Spanish?”
Spanish verbs change form based on the subject, tense, and mood. Regular verbs follow predictable patterns depending on whether they end in ‑ar, ‑er, or ‑ir. For example, "hablar" (to speak) becomes "hablo" (I speak), "hablas" (you speak), and "habla" (he/she speaks) in the present tense.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Spanish

Master Spanish — from Esta palabra es irregular to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Spanish freeBrowse the full course