W12 - Adjectives in Spanish

Foreign Language 1
1
Adjectives in Spanish
Module 10 Adjectives in Spanish
Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Learn the use of adjectives in 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 apple
the blue book
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
Course Module
Foreign Language 1
2
The correct form of the adjective depends upon the noun it modifies. Is the
noun masculine or feminine? Singular or plural?
Spanish English
libro rojo red book
pluma roja red pen
libros rojos red books
plumas rojas red pens
Notice how the endings of the nouns and these adjectives are similar.
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.
Course Module
Foreign Language 1
3
la chica popular
el chico popular
las chicas populares

los chicos populares
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 trabajadores

las mujeres trabajadoras
Course Module
Foreign Language 1
4
Note: Adjectives ending in “-erior” do not have a feminine form.
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
Sometimes, a descriptive adjective can precede the noun. If the adjective is

descriptive, but speaks of a quality that is inherent and usually taken for granted,
the adjective comes first.
la blanca nieve
the white snow (snow is inherently white)
los altos picos

the tall peaks (peaks are inherently tall)
Adjectives that end in -o have four forms.
alto
alta
altos
altas
Adjectives of nationality ending in -o are no different from other such adjectives.
guatemalteco
guatemalteca
guatemaltecos
guatemaltecas
Course Module
Foreign Language 1
5
Adjectives that end in -e have two forms.
inteligente
inteligentes
Most adjectives ending with a consonant have two forms.
popular
populares
Adjectives of nationality ending in a consonant have four forms.
español
española
españoles
españolas
Adjectives ending in -or, -án, -ón, or -ín have four forms.
hablador
habladora
habladores
habladoras
Adjectives that are descriptive usually follow the noun they describe.
casa blanca
chica alta
When an adjective speaks of a quality that is inherent and usually taken for granted,
the adjective precedes the noun.
la blanca nieve
los altos picos
Adjectives of quantity usually come before the noun.
pocos libros
muchos libros
Course Module
Foreign Language 1
6
References and Supplemental Reading

1. https://studyspanish.com/grammar/lessons/adj1
Course Module

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Foreign Language 1

Module 10 Adjectives in Spanish

Course Learning Outcomes:

For example, an adjective might describe the color of an object.

libro rojo red book

pluma roja red pen

libros rojos red books

plumas rojas red pens

Adjectives that end in -e do not, however, change form for masculine or

las chicas inteligentes

Similarly, most adjectives that end in a consonant do change form for

las chicas populares

los muchachos mexicanos

Many other adjectives of nationality end in a consonant. These adjectives do

los muchachos españoles

los chicos habladores

los hombres trabajadores

Note: Adjectives ending in “-erior” do not have a feminine form.

Sometimes, a descriptive adjective can precede the noun. If the adjective is

los altos picos

Adjectives that end in -o have four forms.

Adjectives of nationality ending in -o are no different from other such adjectives.

Adjectives that end in -e have two forms.

Most adjectives ending with a consonant have two forms.

Adjectives of nationality ending in a consonant have four forms.

Adjectives ending in -or, -án, -ón, or -ín have four forms.

Adjectives of quantity usually come before the noun.

References and Supplemental Reading

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