una persona
/una peɾsona/from spelling rules
The English phrase "one person" is translated into Spanish as una persona.
una persona is used to refer to a single human being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of una (one/a) and persona (person).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun persona is feminine, so the number "one" must take the feminine form una rather than the masculine un. When una persona is the direct object of a verb, you must often add the "personal a" before the phrase, as seen in the example Elige a una persona. Note that un individuo is a masculine noun phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
/una peɾsona/
Did you know?
- The word 'persona' shares its exact roots with the Latin 'persōna', which originally referred to a mask worn by actors in a play to represent a character.
- When filling out official forms in Spanish, you may see the term persona física used to mean 'a single human being' as opposed to a legal entity like a company.
- While una persona is the standard term, using un individuo can sometimes sound like a police report or a formal legal document.
Examples in context
- Elige a una persona.Choose one person.This sentence shows how to use the "personal a" when choosing one person.Tatoeba #1357562 by marcelostockle, translation #441998 by CK
- Por favor, elija a una persona.Please choose one person.This sentence demonstrates a polite request using the "personal a".Tatoeba #1277867 by marcelostockle, translation #442000 by CK
- Solo una persona fue lastimada.Only one person was injured.This sentence uses the phrase to indicate the number of people injured.Tatoeba #5309732 by ArtVel, translation #4500273 by CK
- Estoy buscando una persona.I am looking for one person.
- Solo necesito una sola personaI only need one person.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at a restaurant entrance.
- DanielHola, ¿mesa para una persona?Hello, table for one person?
- SofíaSí, tengo una mesa libre ahora.Yes, I have a free table now.
- DanielPerfecto, gracias, Sofía.Perfect, thank you, Sofía.
- SofíaDe nada, Daniel, sígueme por aquí.You're welcome, Daniel, follow me this way.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries persona, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
