Adjective Placement
Hola chicos,
Feliz viernes :) For our blog posting today we are going to look at adjective placement.
Stephany F. from level B3 asks: Why does the adjective come before the noun in certain situations but not others. Are there rules for this?
Yes, Stephany, there are rules. Typically the adjective comes after the noun in Spanish, but there are a few exceptions:
1 – Limiting adjectives come before a noun. Limiting adjectives define a number or an amount.
For example: Tengo 1 perro. / Hay muchos festivales durante el verano. / ¿Tienes suficiente dinero?
2 – Possesive adjectives (mi(s), tu(s), su(s), nuestro(s)) come before the noun.
For example: Mi casita está bien ubicada. / Tu hermana es simpática. / Nuestra escuela es grande.
3 – Demonstrative adjectives (este/esta, estos/as, ese/esa, esos/as, aquel/la, aquellos/as) come before the noun.
For example: Este libro es buenísimo. / Esa camisa te queda chica. / Estos restaurantes están cerrados.
4 – There are also many adjectives that change meaning if placed before or after the noun. It’s just a matter of learning which ones they are. Here is a list: Adjectives that change meaning
For example:
- Un viejo amigo = An old friend (someone you have been friends with for a long time), but Un amigo viejo = A friend that is old in age
- Un pobre amigo = A friend who is unfortunate in some way, but Un amigo pobre = A friend who does not have $$
I hope that answers your question chica!
If anyone has a question for our blog, leave us a note here: Questions for the Blog
Que tengan un buen fin de semana…
Besos,
Caro