Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Hello! In this video we show you the basic rules to use adjectives in simple sentences in Spanish.
We will use multiple images, and audio examples to explain the proper way to use adjectives. Let's begin ...
Number 1: What are adjectives?
The adjective is a part of speech that complements a noun, to qualify, ie, it describes a noun, for example, to describe the noun "casa" (house)
we can use adjectives like grande (large), bonita (nice), moderna, etc.. and say something like:
Una casa bonita ( a nice house), Una casa grande (a big house) or Una casa moderna (a modern house)
Number 3: Where do you place adjectives in Spanish?
We usually put the adjective after the noun or the word that it describes, not before unlike English. This is an example ...
In English we would say Ella es una delgada chica (she is a thin girl) but that sounds wrong ... The correct way to say it is Ella es una chica delgada
Some adjectives such as numbers and possessive adjectives come before the noun, not after it.
There are also times when the adjectives are used before the noun to sound more formal or emphasize a quality, but this cannot be done with all Spanish adjectives. Here are some examples ...
- Numbers: La primera taza (the first cup) - Possessive adjectives: Es mi calculadora (It is my calculator)
- Being formal or emphasizing: Tiene una hermosa familia (you have a beautiful family)
Number 3: Do adjectives change their gender in Spanish?
You need to change the gender of the adjective from male to female or vice versa to match it with that of the noun. This means that if you describe
something masculine like "futbol" then you should use a masculine adjective like "divertido" and not "divertida." Here are some examples...
El futbol es divertido (football is fun) and Ella es bonita (she is pretty)
Number 4: Do adjectives have a plural form in Spanish?
Unlike adjectives in English, Spanish adjectives change from singular to plural depending on the form of the noun they modify. This means that if you are describing a dog,
you should use a singular adjective as "obediente" but if you are describing several dogs you should use an adjective in plural form like "obedientes". Here are some examples ...
Mi perro es obediente (My dog is obedient) and Sus perros son juguetones (Your dogs are playful)
Finally, just remember to keep the adjectives after the noun, unless they are possessive adjectives, numbers or you want to emphasize something.
Use feminine adjectives for feminine nouns, singular adjectives for singular nouns and vice versa. Here is a simple description as an example...
This is Loki. Loki is an obedient and fun dog. He is very smart. He likes to play with two more dogs. Their names are Tarzan and Acero (Steel). They are very playful dogs.