Saying "we are" in Spanish isn't as simple as swapping a single word. Traditional Spanish grammar relies on a binary, gendered system where the masculine plural form acts as the default for mixed groups. If you want to express group identity inclusively—accounting for non-binary members, all-female teams, or modern social contexts—you have to look beyond standard textbooks.
The standard approach uses nosotros for male or mixed-gender groups and nosotras for exclusively female groups, paired with the verb somos (we are) or estamos (we are, temporarily). But contemporary speakers, particularly younger generations and progressive communities, have introduced gender-neutral alternatives like nosotres and nosotrxs. Choosing the right form requires understanding both grammatical rules and the social signals each option sends.
The Traditional Baseline: Nosotros and Nosotras
To understand inclusive shifts, you first need to grasp how standard Spanish structures first-person plural pronouns. Spanish nouns and adjectives carry grammatical gender, and pronouns follow suit.
- Nosotros somos (We are): Used for groups of men, or mixed groups of men and women.
- Nosotras somos (We are): Used exclusively for groups composed entirely of women.
For decades, strict institutional bodies like the Real Academia Española (RAE) maintained that the masculine nosotros covers any group containing at least one male. However, social pushback has challenged this practice. Many women and non-binary speakers point out that defaulting to the masculine erases visibility. In response, linguistic practices are evolving across the Spanish-speaking world.
Emerging Inclusive Alternatives: Nosotres and Nosotrxs
When addressing or identifying a group that includes non-binary individuals, or when rejecting gendered defaults altogether, speakers turn to neologisms. These alternatives alter the suffix of the pronoun to avoid defaulting to an -o or -a ending.
- Nosotres: This is the most common spoken phonetic shift in inclusive Spanish circles, particularly in Argentina, Spain, and urban centers across Latin America. The final 'e' acts as a gender-neutral morpheme. You say Nosotres somos to denote a group without assigning binary gender.
- Nosotrxs: Written primarily on social media, academic papers, and protest banners, the 'x' replaces the vowel. Because an 'x' is difficult to pronounce naturally in speech, it's often read aloud as an '-ex' sound or treated as a visual-only placeholder.
These terms are rarely found in formal business journalism or official documents, but they appear frequently in activist spaces, university campuses, and progressive digital communities. If you're interacting with these groups, recognizing nosotres shows cultural awareness.
Temporary States versus Permanent Identity: Somos vs. Estamos
Expressing "we are" in Spanish involves another crucial choice before you even reach the pronoun: deciding between ser and estar. Spanish splits the English verb "to be" into two distinct verbs.
- Somos (from ser): Used for permanent traits, identity, origin, or core characteristics. Example: Nosotros somos un equipo fuerte (We are a strong team).
- Estamos (from estar): Used for temporary locations, current conditions, or temporary states. Example: Nosotres estamos listos para empezar (We are ready to start).
If you change the pronoun for inclusivity, remember to update any accompanying adjectives. In traditional Spanish, adjectives modifying a mixed group take the masculine plural ending (-os). In inclusive Spanish, those adjectives also shift to '-e' (e.g., les amigues or todes).
Regional Variations in Group Expression
Geography changes how people express group identity. In Spain, the informal plural "you all" uses vosotros, but in Latin America, ustedes covers both formal and informal second-person plural. When it comes to "we," regional habits influence pronoun drop.
In many Latin American countries, subject pronouns like nosotros are frequently omitted because the verb conjugation (somos or estamos) already makes the subject clear. Speakers might simply say Somos amigos instead of Nosotros somos amigos. When they do emphasize the group explicitly, the choice of inclusive markers depends heavily on the local social climate. Urban hubs in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Madrid embrace inclusive markers far faster than rural regions.
Common Mistakes When Striving for Inclusivity
Learners often stumble when attempting inclusive Spanish because they apply rules rigidly or misunderstand social contexts.
- Forcing neutral language in formal contexts: Using nosotres in a conservative corporate email or a legal document can cause confusion or miscommunication. Match your register to your audience.
- Overlooking adjective agreement: If you use nosotres, you can't follow it with a traditionally masculine or feminine adjective. The entire sentence structure—articles, nouns, and adjectives—must align with the inclusive marker.
- Assuming uniform acceptance: Inclusive language remains a subject of active debate. While it's widely understood in progressive spaces, older generations or traditionalists may view it as grammatically incorrect. Read the room before adopting non-standard suffixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nosotres officially recognized by Spanish language authorities?
No. Major regulatory bodies like the RAE do not officially recognize nosotres or nosotrxs in standard dictionaries, viewing them as outside traditional grammar rules. However, language evolves through usage, and grassroots adoption continues to grow independently of institutional approval.
How do you pronounce nosotrxs?
Because 'nosotrxs' is primarily a written symbol designed to bypass gendered vowels, it is difficult to pronounce as written. When speakers read it aloud, they typically substitute it with the spoken inclusive form nosotres.
Can I just use ustedes to avoid the gender issue entirely?
Ustedes means "you all" (second-person plural), so it cannot replace "we" (first-person plural). However, some speakers restructure sentences to use passive constructions or impersonal phrasing (se busca, hay que) to sidestep gendered pronouns entirely when direct pronouns feel restrictive.
Do native Spanish speakers actually use inclusive pronouns daily?
Daily usage varies dramatically. While millions of speakers encounter or use inclusive language online and in progressive academic or professional environments, the vast majority of daily conversations in Spanish-speaking countries still default to traditional binary forms like nosotros and nosotras.
