La universidad ofrece quinientas becas este año, pero conseguir una no es fácil.

to be

Breakdown of La universidad ofrece quinientas becas este año, pero conseguir una no es fácil.

• pero: but
• el año: the year
• este: this

Questions & Answers about La universidad ofrece quinientas becas este año, pero conseguir una no es fácil.

Why is it quinientas becas and not quinientos becas?

Because becas is a feminine plural noun, and the hundreds number must agree with it in gender.

• quinientos = masculine
• quinientas = feminine

So:

• quinientos libros = five hundred books
• quinientas becas = five hundred scholarships

Not all numbers change for gender, but the hundreds from doscientos/doscientas onward do.

What exactly does beca mean here?

Beca usually means scholarship or grant for studies.

In this sentence, quinientas becas means the university is offering 500 scholarships. Depending on context, a beca might cover tuition, living expenses, or other educational costs.

Why is there no word for to before quinientas becas, like in English offers 500 scholarships?