Spanish Adjectives:
Adjectives are frequently descriptive. That is, most often adjectives are used to describe a noun, or distinguish the noun from a group of similar objects. For example, an adjective might describe the color of an object.
the red pen
the blue pen
In Spanish, most adjectives change form, depending upon whether the word they modify is masculine or feminine. Notice the difference between "the tall boy" and "the tall girl."
el chico alto
la chica alta
Adjectives also change form depending upon whether the word they modify is singular or plural. Notice the difference between "the tall boy" and "the tall boys" ; "the tall girl" and "the tall girls."
el chico alto
los chicos altos
la chica alta
las chicas altas
Many common adjectives end in -o. These adjectives have four forms. The following words all mean "tall":
alto
alta
altos
altas
The correct form of the adjective depends upon the noun it modifies. Is the noun masculine or feminine? Singular or plural?
libro rojo
red book
pluma roja
red pen
libros rojos
red books
plumas rojasNotice how the endings of the nouns and these adjectives are similar.
red pens
libro rojo
pluma roja
libros rojos
plumas rojas
Adjectives that end in -e also change form for singular or plural. To form the plural, simply add -s.
la chica inteligente
las chicas inteligentes
Adjectives that end in -e do not, however, change form for masculine or feminine.
la chica inteligente
el chico inteligente
las chicas inteligentes
los chicos inteligentes
Similarly, most adjectives that end in a consonant do change form for singular or plural, but do not change for masculine or feminine. To form the plural, add -es.
la chica popular
el chico popular
las chicas populares
los chicos populares
Let's review.
- Adjectives that end in -o have four forms: alto, alta, altos, altas
- Adjectives that end in -e have two forms: inteligente, inteligentes
- Most adjectives that end in a consonant have two forms:
popular, populares (form plural by adding -es)
Many adjectives of nationality end in -o.
These adjectives follow the same rules as other adjectives ending in -o. That is, they have four forms.
el muchacho mexicano
la muchacha mexicana
los muchachos mexicanos
las muchachas mexicanas
Many other adjectives of nationality end in a consonant.
These adjectives do not follow the same rules as other adjectives ending in a consonant, rather, they have a distinct feminine form ending in -a.
el muchacho español
la muchacha española
los muchachos españoles
las muchachas españolas
There is another group of adjectives that does not follow the normal rules.
Adjectives ending in -or, -án, -ón, or -ín also have a feminine form.
el chico hablador
la chica habladora
los chicos habladores
las chicas habladoras
el hombre trabajador
la mujer trabajadora
los hombres trabajadoresNote: Adjectives ending in "-erior" do not have a feminine form.
las mujeres trabajadoras
Adjectives that are descriptive usually follow the noun they describe.
el chico alto
la chica alta
los libros pequeños
las plumas rojas
Adjectives of quantity almost always come before the noun. Such adjectives tell how much or how many.
pocos libros
mucha energía
mucho trabajo
pocas casas
Let's review:
Adjectives of nationality ending in a consonant have four forms.
españolAdjectives ending in -or, -án, -ón, or -ín have four forms.
española
españoles
españolas
habladorAdjectives that are descriptive usually follow the noun they describe.
habladora
habladores
habladoras
casa blancaAdjectives of quantity usually come before the noun.
chica alta
pocos libros
muchos libros
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