Distintas

Distintas is the feminine plural form of the Spanish adjective distinto, meaning different, distinct, or not identical. It is used to describe feminine plural nouns, for example: las ideas distintas, distintas opciones. The masculine plural form is distintos. In general, distinto/distinta/distintos/distintas function as predicates or modifiers to indicate diversity or non-equivalence among elements.

Uses and nuance

Distintas is commonly employed to indicate variety within a set or to contrast items. It is often interchangeable with diferentes, though distinción can carry a subtler emphasis on non-identity rather than merely dissimilar traits. Phrases such as distintas entre sí emphasize that the items differ from one another. Distintas a or distintas de can be used to compare a group with another reference: “distintas a las propuestas previas” means different from the previous proposals.

Grammar and agreement

Distintas agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For masculine plural nouns, the form is distintos; for feminine singular, distinta; for feminine plural, distintas. As with many Spanish adjectives, placement can vary: “opciones distintas” or “las opciones son distintas.” When used with a noun, the adjective can also appear in predicative position: “Las opciones son distintas.”

Etymology and related terms

Distintas derives from distingo, distinción, from Latin distinctus, meaning separated or set apart. Related adjectives include distinto, distintos, diversa, various, and diferent (in English). Antonyms include igual, idéntico, and semejante, depending on context.

Se also

Distintas is widely used in everyday Spanish to denote diversity among items, ideas, or groups, from academic writing to journalism and everyday speech.