Modern Spanish Grammar: A Practical Guide

 36.1 (p. 212)

5.3 Adjectives used as nouns

In Spanish, adjectives are frequently used as nouns:

Saludé al viejo.

I greeted the old man.

¿Quieres un blanco o un tinto?

Do you want a white (wine) or a red (wine)?

Los más valientes no se dejaron pasmar.

The bravest (people) didn’t let themselves be frightened.

5.4 Adjectives used as adverbs

English adverbs can often be translated by adjectives in Spanish: see 14.1 (p. 55).

Following Preceding

antiguo old former

cierto sure certain

diferentes different several

distintos different several

grande big great

medio average, middle half

mismo self same

nuevo brand new new, another

pobre poor (i.e. not rich) miserable

propio of one’s own very

puro pure sheer

simple simple mere

único unique only

varios varied several

Adjectives used as nouns 5.4