【英文版西语语法】Adjective Placement

 Overview

 

In English, adjectives usually precede, or go before, the noun they describe. In Spanish, most of the time, it is the opposite. In general, adjectives follow the nouns they describe.

 

Me gustan las flores rojas.

I like red flowers.

 

Mi hermano es un hombre alto.

My brother is a tall man.

 

Prefiero el café negro.

I prefer black coffee.

 

There are several exceptions to this rule which are explained below.

 

Adjective Placement Exceptions

 

For the following instances, the adjective is placed in front of the noun it describes.

 

1. Descriptive adjectives that emphasize an essential quality of a noun

 

An essential quality of a noun is something that is implicitly obvious about a noun even without the adjective being present.

 

El valiente león protege su territorio.

The brave lion protects his territory.

 

La dulce miel es deliciosa en pan tostado.

Sweet honey is delicious on toast.

 

Las verdes hojas del árbol cantan en el viento.

The green leaves of the tree sing in the breeze.

 

2. Limiting adjectives that define a number or amount of a noun, even if it is not specific.

 

Los niños quieren ocho helados.

The children want eight ice creams.

 

Tengo menos dinero que mi hermana.

I have less money than my sister.

 

Hay pocas naranjas este verano.

There are few oranges this summer.

 

Tienes suficiente tiempo.

You have sufficient time.

 

Below you will find a list of common limiting adjectives. Remember that all numbers are limiting adjectives as well.

 

Spanish English

alguno

 

some

bastante

 

enough

cuanto

 

as much

demasiado

 

too much

mucho

 

a lot

ninguno

 

no, none

poco

 

a little

suficiente

 

sufficient, enough

varios

 

various, some, a few

3. Possessive adjectives (mi, tu, su, etc.) or demonstrative adjectives (ese, este, aquel).

 

Mi hermana es alta.

My sister is tall.

 

Nuestro perro es muy amable.

Our dog is very friendly.

 

Este árbol tiene muchas manzanas.

This tree has a lot of apples.

 

Estas sillas son cómodas.

These chairs are comfortable.

 

4. Meaning-changing adjectives

 

Some adjectives can mean different things depending on their placement around the noun they modify.

 

When placed after the noun like normal, the adjective carries a fairly objective, descriptive meaning.

When placed before the noun, the adjective carries a more subjective, opinionated meaning.

Gabriel García Márquez es un gran autor.

Gabriel García Márquez is a great author.

 

Yo tengo una casa grande.

I have a big house.

 

Pablo es mi viejo amigo.

Pablo is my long-time friend.

 

Juanita es mi amiga vieja.

Juanita is my elderly friend.

 

Below you will find a list of common meaning-changing adjectives with their meanings when they are placed before and after the noun.

 

Adjective Before the noun After the noun

alto

 

top/high-class tall

antiguo

 

old/former/ancient antique

bajo

 

of low quality short

bueno

 

simple/good good/gentle/generous

cierto

 

certain true/right

cualquier

 

any (of those available) any (type doesn't matter)

diferente

 

various different

distinto

 

various different

dulce

 

good/nice sweet

grande

 

great big

mismo

 

same himself/herself

nuevo

 

another /newly acquired new/newly made

pobre

 

unfortunate poor

propio

 

his/her own especially for someone

puro

 

sheer/nothing but pure

raro

 

rare strange

simple

 

mere simple/modest

solo

 

one lonely

triste

 

dreadful sad

único

 

only unique

varios

 

several different

viejo

 

former/long-time old/aged