compañeres

Compañeres is the plural form of compañere, a gender-inclusive alternative to the Spanish words compañero and compañera. It is used to refer to a group of people regardless of gender, including mixed-gender and non-binary members, in contexts such as classrooms, workplaces, and social movements. The form aligns with a broader trend in Spanish-speaking communities to adopt -e endings as a neutral gender marker.

Formation and usage: The singular form compañere and the plural compañeres are created by replacing the traditional gendered endings -o/-a with -e. Common examples include “compañeres de clase” (classmates) or “compañeres de trabajo” (work colleagues). It is often found in written and online discourse aimed at inclusivity, as well as in activist organizations and some academic settings.

Status and reception: The inclusive -e forms, including compañeres, are controversial. They are not officially recognized by the Real Academia Española, which has historically endorsed gender-specific forms or the masculine as default. Advocates argue that compañeres helps reduce gender bias and include non-binary people; detractors cite readability concerns and inconsistency with standard grammar. Usage tends to be region- and institution-dependent.

See also: inclusive language, gender-neutral language, nosotres, and related terms.