Model

Question

In "Ella era modelo," why is this not ""Ella era modela"? Is model a masculine word regardless of who is the model?
Ricky

Inma Sánchez · Accepted Answer

Hola Ricky,
The word "modelo" as model is invariable, as you guessed, so it will be modelo for a man and a woman, however we do need to use the appropriate article when it is needed:

"La modelo llevaba un vestido azul largo" (refers to a female model)
"El modelo llevaba una chaqueta vaquera" (refers to a male model)

Saludos
Inma

Inma Sánchez · Answer

Hola Tonya
Sorry about the delay. We didn't receive notification of your message. Just saw it now.
Yes, as the imperfect tense is also used to express a repeated action in the past, you could also translate it as "she used to be a model".
However if you want to emphasise the fact that she was and now she isn't a model any longer we'd probably use verb "soler" for that, saying:
"Ella solía ser modelo"
Saludos
Inma

Tonya Grossnickle · Answer

For the following  example, could this also be translated as 'She was a model'?Ella era modelo.She used to be a model.