Because of its distinctive gender endings, Spanish does not have many words with the same form but different meanings (true homonyms). However, there are many pairs of words distinguished only by the –o and -a (and sometimes also -e) endings which are easily confused. These are known as gender paronyms.

Here are some examples:

el acta (f) – minutes, record (of a meeting)
el acto – action, deed, act (in a play) – En el acto = immediately

el ánima (f) – spirit, soul (religious concept)
el ánimo – energy, courage, spirit

la banca – banking (system); bank (in a game of chance)
el banco – bank (individual establishment); bench

la banda – gang; (music) band; strip, ribbon
el bando – faction, party, side

la bolsa – bag; stock exchange
el bolso – handbag

la calzada – roadway
el calzado – footwear

la caña – reed; cane (of sugar); (fishing) rod
el caño – pipe, jet

la cerca – hedge, fence
el cerco – siege; rim; hoop

la charca – pond
el charco – puddle

la cuenca – basin (geographical) – La cuenca del río (the river basin)
el cuenco – bowl

la cuenta – account, bill
el cuento – short story, tale

la espina – thorn; fishbone
el espino – hawthorn

la falla – fault (geographical)
el fallo – verdict; weakness, drawback

la fosa – grave; trench (depression in sea or land)
el foso – pit, hole, ditch

la gesta – heroic deed
el gesto – gesture

la gimnasia – gymnastics
el gimnasio – gymnasium

la gorra – cap with peak
el gorro – tight-fitting cap with no peak (eg swimming)

See you next time, amigos.