What is the origin of the curious fact that certain Spanish words that end in "-a" and can refer to both male and female persons, never developed an "-o" ending to denote a male individual specifically? For example:
electricista, dentista, recepcionista.
Hola Gerald
To be honest, the reason why it is an invariable adjective is unknown; it's only known that this suffix -ista (as well as -crata) are of Greek origin.
Saludos
Inma
Adoro tu honestidad. Cuando una persona de tu inteligencia y amplio conocimiento de idiomas no sabe la respuesta a una pregunta me hace sentir mucho menos el insecto que a veces creo que soy cuando se trata de aprender español. Muchas gracias de nuevo.
What is the origin of the curious fact that certain Spanish words that end in "-a" and can refer to both male and female persons, never developed an "-o" ending to denote a male individual specifically? For example:
electricista, dentista, recepcionista.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard
Find your Spanish level