Spanish: An Essential Grammar

jugo de piña pineapple juice

ropa de playa beachwear

hoja de cálculo spreadsheet

jarra para cerveza beer mug or tankard

mesa para ordenador [SP] computer desk

expertos en desarme disarmament experts

Compound nouns

These are formed not only by the combination of nouns but by the combi-

nation of a wide variety of different parts of speech.

They are usually masculine if they begin with a verb or preposition, and

singular even though the second element may be plural, e.g. el abrelatas

‘tin/can opener’. They are feminine if they specifically refer to that gender

or end in a feminine noun not linked to a verb or preposition.

(el) cortocircuito shortcircuit

(el) limpiabarros boot scraper, doormat

(el) paraguas umbrella

(el) apoyacabezas headrest

(el) pinchadiscos[SP] disk jockey

(el) sabelotodo know-all/smart arse

(el/la) sietemesino/a premature baby

(la) drogadicción drug addiction

(los) sinsabores troubles

Compound adjectives

A number of these exist based on parts of the body + adjective or past

participle:

boquiabierto/a open-mouthed

puntiagudo/a bony/sharp-pointed

paticorto/a short-legged

pelirrojo/a red-haired

29.3.4

29.3.3

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2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1011

1

12111

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

20111

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

30111

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

40

41111

29

Word
formation

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