COGNADOS = COGNATES
1. Translate: Cognates Ending in “-cto”
There are many easy ways to pair English-Spanish cognates. For example: Words that end in “ct” can be translated into Spanish by simply adding “-o” to the “-ct” ending.
2. Translate: “-ist” Endings
For nouns that end in “-ist” add an “-a” to the English “-ist” ending to form its Spanish cognate.
Note: Although these words end in “-a” they can be either masculine or feminine.
3. Translate: From “-ty” to “-dad”
English words that end in “-ty” become Spanish cognates by substituting “-dad” for the “-ty” ending. These words are generally feminine.
4. “-tion” Cognates
Words that end in “-tion” in English have Spanish cognates that end in “-ción”; these are feminine in gender.
5. “-ce” Endings to “-cia”
Recognize easy cognates. Many words that end in “-ce” in English have Spanish cognates ending in “-cia”; these are feminine.
Watch for exceptions: Example-Silence= silencio (masc.)
6. Adjective to Adjective
Many words that end in “-ive” in English have Spanish equivalents ending in “-ivo”. Since most of these words are adjectives, they have their feminine forms ending in “-iva”.
7. More Cognates: English for Spanish
Many words that end in “-em” or “-am” in English have their Spanish mates ending in “-ema” or “-ama”.
Note: Although these words end in “-a” they are masculine.
8. Spanish for English
Many words that end in “-ent” in English have their Spanish counterparts ending in “-ento” or “-iento”. [looks like Rule #11, but different]
9. Spanish “-oso/a” to English “-ous”
English words that end in “-ous” have their Spanish mates ending in “-oso” or “-osa,” if it is an adjective modifying a feminine noun.
10. “-in” to “-ina” or “-ino”
English words that end in “-in” or “-ine” form their Spanish cognates by replacing those endings with “-ina” or “-ino”.
11. Just add “-e”
English words that end in “-ent” or “-ant” become Spanish cognates by adding “-e” to the last “-t”. [looks like Rule #8, but different]
12. English “-ate” Verbs to Spanish “-ar” verbs
Here’s another easy transition with many verbs that end in “-ate” in English and slide into an “-ar” ending in Spanish. Try this out with the following English verbs.