Spanish -u and -i nouns
In Spanish there aren't many common nouns that end in -u or -i, but most of them with very few exceptions are masculine.
Most of these words are stressed on the last syllable and therefore have a written accent: ú, í. Here are some examples:
El menú de hoy incluye postre y bebida gratis.Today's fixed-price menu includes a free dessert and drink.
Los exploradores intentaron construir un iglú para usarlo como refugio.The explorers tried to build an igloo to use as a shelter.
-¿Cúal es tu piedra preciosa favorita? -Para mí es el rubí sin duda.-What's your favourite precious stone? -For me it's undoubtedly rubies. [lit: the ruby]
Había un maniquí en el escaparate que parecía una persona de verdad.There was a mannequin in the window that looked like a real person.
As you can see, all these nouns have masculine articles as they are masculine.
Here are some nouns that end in -u or -i but that where the stress is not on the last syllable. They are also masculine.
Exception
Bear in mind that the noun tribu (tribe) is feminine:
What about their plurals?
Some of these nouns form their plurals adding an -s and some add -es. The Spanish Royal Academy acceps both plural forms for most of them.
Take a look at this list of the most common nouns (singular and plural) ending in ú, í, u and i.
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