Position of Adjectives
a) Descriptive adjectives that describe the qualities of a noun (what something or someone is like; such adjectives of color, size, etc.) generally follow the noun they modify
Clase aburrida --- Casa grande Libro rojo --- Carpeta naranja Hombre pobre --- Paisajes tropicales
b) Quantitative or limiting adjectives, numerals, and demonstrative, possesive adjectives precede the nouns they modify
Mucha tarea --- Cinco peras Otro alumno --- Cien pesos Pocas oportunidades --- Esta persona
c) The adjective comes first at the start of a letter
Estimado Sr. Carlos Dellini --- Queridos amigos
d) Adjectives denoting nationality follow the noun:
Estudiante ecuatoriano --- Libro norteamericano Alumna peruana --- Escuela mexicana
e) The adjectives malo, bueno, primero, tercero, alguno and ninguno precede the nouns they modify.
Malo is shortened to mal and bueno is shortened to buen when placed before a masculine singular noun. Primero is shortened to primer, tercero to tercer,alguno to algún, and ninguno to ningún when placed before a masculine singular noun.
Un mal auto --- Tercer libro --- Ningún cuaderno Un buen libro --- Primer semestre Algún mesero
f) When it follows a noun, grande means big or large but when it precedes a noun, it means great.
Un gran concierto --- Una gran fiesta Un auto nuevo = a brand new car Un nuevo auto = a new, different car Un hombre grande = a big man Un gran hombre = a great man
g) Santo is shortened to San when it precedes proper masculine names.
San Cristobal --- San Antonio San Idelfonso --- San Juan
Exceptions: Santo Tomás, Santo Toribio and Santo Domingo
h) Ciento is shortened to cien when it precedes a noun
Cien coronas --- Cien pesos
Popular Phrase: conjugate lavarse | Conjugated Verb: cacarear - to crow [ click for full conjugation ]