Adjective Placement
Start first lessonRELEVANT LESSON:
Explanation
In English, adjectives usually go before the nouns they describe.
In Spanish, adjectives usually come after the nouns they describe.
In the examples below, the Spanish adjectives come after the nouns they describe.
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Adjective Placement Exceptions
Spanish adjectives don't always come after the nouns they describe. Below are a list of instances in which Spanish adjectives come before the nouns they describe, just like they do in English.
1. Possessive Adjectives and Demonstrative Adjectives
Possessive adjectives like mi, tu, and su and demonstrative adjectives like ese, este, and aquel come before the nouns they describe.
Check out these examples of possessive and descriptive adjectives.
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2. Limiting Adjectives
Limiting adjectives that define a number or amount of a noun, even if it is not specific, come before the noun.
Check out these examples of limiting adjectives.
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Below you will find a list of common limiting adjectives. Remember that all numbers are limiting adjectives.
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| alguno | some |
| bastante | enough |
| cuanto | as much |
| demasiado | too much |
| mucho | a lot |
| ninguno | no, none |
| poco | a little |
| suficiente | sufficient, enough |
| varios | various, some, a few |
3. Essential Qualities
Descriptive adjectives that emphasize an essential quality of a noun often come before the noun.
Check out these examples.
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4. Meaning-Change Adjectives
Some adjectives can mean different things depending on their placement.
- When placed after the noun, the adjective has a fairly objective, descriptive meaning.
- When placed before the noun, the adjective has a more subjective meaning.
Check out these examples of meaning-change adjectives.
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Below you will find a list of common meaning-change adjectives.
Learn all about adjectives in Spanish with these articles!
