Spanish study note · VA TIPS #6
El problema or la problema? Why many -ma words are masculine
By Soltura · Published · Reviewed
It’s el problema. Problema ends in -a, but it’s masculine: it came into Spanish through Latin from a Greek word ending in -ma, and most nouns with that history are masculine. The same goes for el sistema, el programa, el tema, el idioma and el clima. Most other nouns ending in -a stay feminine: la forma, la cama, la semana.
Part of Soltura’s Spanish study notes for virtual assistants.
The rule
Spanish nouns ending in -a are usually feminine, which is why la problema feels right to learners. The exception you meet most at work is a group of nouns that came into Spanish through Latin from Greek words ending in -ma. Each of these is masculine in the Real Academia Española dictionary, and each entry traces it back to Greek:
- el problema (problem), el sistema (system), el programa (program, software), el tema (topic, issue)
- el idioma (language), el clima (climate), el esquema (outline), el diagrama (diagram), el dilema (dilemma)
Two limits keep the rule honest. First, an -ma ending alone tells you nothing: la forma and la pluma come from Latin and are feminine, and so is la cama. Second, a few Greek-origin -ma nouns are feminine anyway, such as la diadema. When in doubt, check the dictionary: “m.” means masculine, “f.” feminine. Other everyday exceptions to the -a/-o pattern are el día, el mapa and la mano.
Example sentences
| Spanish | English | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| El problema es que no tengo acceso al sistema. | The problem is that I don’t have access to the system. | Reporting a blocker |
| ¿Podemos revisar el tema de la factura mañana? | Can we go over the invoice issue tomorrow? | Tema = topic or issue |
| El programa nuevo ya está instalado. | The new program is already installed. | Adjective agrees: nuevo |
| Este diagrama muestra el proceso de pedidos. | This diagram shows the ordering process. | Este, not esta |
| Uso dos idiomas con mis clientes: inglés y español. | I use two languages with my clients: English and Spanish. | Plural: los idiomas |
| Hay un problema con la forma de pago. | There’s a problem with the payment method. | Masculine problema, feminine forma |
Common mistakes
Laproblema es… → El problema es…Una sistema nueva→ un sistema nuevo: the article and the adjective both change.- El problema es muy
complicada→ complicado. - Overcorrecting:
el forma,el cama. These are feminine. - Mixing it up with el agua. Agua is feminine (el agua fría); it takes el only because it starts with a stressed a-. That’s a different rule.
Quick self-check
- ___ sistema está caído. (El / La) Answer: El
- Hay ___ problema con ___ forma de pago. Answer: un, la
- El programa es muy ___. (lento / lenta) Answer: lento
Practise it out loud
Soltura’s drills practise classic traps like this one in quick 8-card rounds, for example choosing between el and la in “___ problema es que no tengo tiempo.” Soltura is a speaking-first Spanish app with a free plan; see Spanish for virtual assistants or plans and pricing.
Free on iPhone and iPad · Mac coming soon
This note started as Soltura’s VA TIPS #6 post. Seen on Facebook.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is it el problema or la problema?
El problema. Problema is a masculine noun in Spanish even though it ends in -a, so you say el problema, un problema and este problema.
Why is problema masculine?
It came into Spanish through Latin from a Greek word ending in -ma, and most nouns with that origin are masculine in Spanish, like sistema, programa, tema and idioma.
Are all Spanish words ending in -ma masculine?
No. La forma, la cama and la pluma are feminine, and a few Greek-origin words such as la diadema are feminine too. Check the dictionary entry: m. means masculine, f. feminine.
Sources
- RAE–ASALE, Diccionario de la lengua española: “problema” (m., from Greek próblēma), accessed Oct 10, 2026.
- DLE: “sistema” (m.), accessed Oct 10, 2026.
- DLE: “programa” (m.), accessed Oct 10, 2026.
- DLE: “tema” (m.), accessed Oct 10, 2026.
- DLE: “idioma” (m.), accessed Oct 10, 2026.
- DLE: “forma” (f., from Latin), accessed Oct 10, 2026.
- DLE: “diadema” (f., from Greek), accessed Oct 10, 2026.
- DLE: “agua” (f.), accessed Oct 10, 2026.