nosotros

Lemma Details

Translation: we; us

Part of Speech: pronoun

Etymology: Derived from Latin 'nos' (we, us) + 'otros' (others). The compound form 'nosotros' developed in Spanish to distinguish the exclusive 'we' from other uses. The English pronoun 'we' comes from a different Germanic root, but the Latin 'nos' appears in English words like 'nostalgia' (homesickness) and 'notorious' (widely known, usually negatively).

Commonality: 95%

Guessability: 30%

Register: neutral

Mnemonics

  • Think of 'nos' (us) + 'otros' (others) = 'us others' or 'we as a group'
  • Associate with 'nos' in English words like 'nostalgia' to remember it relates to a collective experience

Related Words, Phrases & Idioms

nosotras

Unknown

No translation

entre nosotros

Unknown

No translation

a nosotros

Unknown

No translation

con nosotros

Unknown

No translation

para nosotros

Unknown

No translation

nuestro

Unknown

No translation

Antonyms

ellos

Unknown

No translation

ellas

Unknown

No translation

ustedes

Unknown

No translation

vosotros

Unknown

No translation

Cultural Context

In Spanish, unlike English, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb conjugation indicates the subject. 'Nosotros' is explicitly used for emphasis, contrast, or clarity. In Latin America, 'nosotros' is used universally, while in Spain there's a distinction between 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' (you all, informal).

Easily Confused With

vosotros

Unknown

No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Nosotros' means 'we/us' while 'vosotros' means 'you all' (informal, used in Spain). They have similar structures with '-otros' endings but refer to different persons.

Notes: In Latin America, 'vosotros' is not used; 'ustedes' is used instead for both formal and informal 'you all'.

Mnemonic: 'Nos-' starts with 'n' like 'we' ends with 'e', while 'vos-' starts with 'v' like 'you'.

nuestro

Unknown

No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Nosotros' is a subject pronoun meaning 'we', while 'nuestro' is a possessive adjective meaning 'our'.

Notes: 'Nuestro' changes form based on the gender and number of the noun it modifies: nuestro (masc. sing.), nuestra (fem. sing.), nuestros (masc. pl.), nuestras (fem. pl.).

Mnemonic: 'Nosotros' ends with '-os' like 'we does' (playful mnemonic), while 'nuestro' ends with '-o' like 'our' starts with 'o'.