15.4.1

Adjective Order

Test yourself

Orden del adjetivo - Adjective Order

In Spanish, adjectives generally come after the noun.

Illustrative background for Adjective orderIllustrative background for Adjective order ?? "content

Adjective order

  • Adjectives generally come after the noun
    • el libro rojo - the red book
    • los jardines grandes - the large gardens
Illustrative background for Exclamative adjectivesIllustrative background for Exclamative adjectives ?? "content

Exclamative adjectives

  • However, not all adjectives are descriptive, some are exclamative such as Qué and Cuánto
    • These are words that may express a strong feeling (either negative or positive).
    • ¡Qué pena! - What a shame!
    • ¡Que alegría! - How lovely!
Illustrative background for Examples Illustrative background for Examples  ?? "content

Examples

  • ¡Qué pena que no pudiste celebrar el cumpleaños de tu papá!
    • What a shame that you couldn’t celebrate your Dad's birthday.
  • ¡Cuánto me alegra verte tan pronto!
    • I’m so happy to see you so soon!

Adjetivos descriptivos - Descriptive Adjectives

In Spanish, adjectives generally come after the noun.

Illustrative background for Adjective OrderIllustrative background for Adjective Order ?? "content

Adjective Order

  • Descriptive adjectives generally come after the noun.
    • el libro rojo - the red book
    • los jardines grandes - the large gardens
Illustrative background for ExceptionsIllustrative background for Exceptions ?? "content

Exceptions

  • However, there are exceptions to this rule.
  • With some adjectives, positioning can change its meaning.
  • la casa antigua - the old house
    • in this case, the house is old, it's been there for a long time.
  • mi antigua casa - my old house
    • in this case, it means that this is the house they lived in before moving out.
Illustrative background for ExceptionsIllustrative background for Exceptions ?? "content

Exceptions

  • Changing the adjective order is also used to emphasize a noun or make it more poetic.
    • la linda flor - the beautiful flower
    • un buen profesor - a good teacher
Illustrative background for ExamplesIllustrative background for Examples ?? "content

Examples

  • Mi casa blanca no es tan bonita como la tuya.
    • My white house isn’t as beautiful as yours.
  • Mi hija mayor se llama Beatriz. Tendrá dieciocho años el mes qué viene.
    • My eldest daughter is called Beatrice. She will be eighteen next month.

Jump to other topics

1Los valores tradicionales y modernos

2El ciberespacio

3La igualdad de los sexos

4La inmigración

5El racismo

6La convivencia

7La influencia de los ídolos

8La identidad regional en España

9El patrimonio cultural

10El Laberinto del Fauno

11Nouns

12Articles

13Adjectives

13.1Agreement

13.2Position

13.3Apocopation

13.4Comparative & Superlative

13.5Use of Adjectives as Nouns

13.6Demonstrative

13.7Indefinite

13.8Possessive

13.9Interrogative & Exclamative

13.10Relative

14Numerals & Quantifiers

14.1Cardinal

14.2Ordinal

14.3Agreement

14.4Expressions of Time and Date

14.5Quantifiers

15Pronouns

16Verbs

16.1Regular Conjunctions

16.2Regular & Irregular Verbs

16.3Agreement of Verb & Subject

16.4Use of Hay Que in All Tenses

16.5Present Tense

16.6Preterite Tense

16.7Imperfect Tense

16.8Future Tense

16.9Conditional Tense

16.10Perfect Tense

16.11Future Perfect Tense

16.12Conditional Perfect Tense

16.13Pluperfect Tense

16.14Infinitive, Gerund & Past Participle

16.15Verbal Paraphrases

16.16Use of the Subjunctive

16.17Commands

16.18Conditional Sentences

16.19After Conjunctions of Time

16.20After Para Que, Sin Que

16.21In Relative Clauses

16.22After Other Subordinating Conjunctions

16.23With Verbs of Wishing & Commanding

16.24Sequence of Tense in Indirect Speech

16.25Voice

16.26Use of the Reflexives as a Passive

16.27Use of the Reflexive to Express an Impersonal

16.28Use of Ser + Past Participle

16.29Use of Estar + Past Participle

16.30'Nuance' Reflexive Verbs

16.31Modes of Address

16.32Constructions with Verbs

16.33Verbs Followed by an Infinitive

17Prepositions & Conjunctions

17.1All Prepositions

17.2'Personal' a

17.3Discrimination of Por and Para

17.4Coordinating Conjunctions

17.5Subordinating Conjunctions

17.6Use of Que to Introduce a Clause

18Negation, Questions & Commands

18.1Negation

19Word Order, Other Constructions & Discourse Marker

19.1Subject Following Verb

19.2Focalisation

19.3Time Expressions with Hace/Hacía

19.4Cleft Sentences

19.5Comparative Constructions

19.6Indirect Speech

19.7Discourse Markers

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson