Spanish: An Essential Grammar

la odiada/temida policía the hated/feared secret police

secreta

su oportuna intervención your timely intervention

este maldito hotel this wretched hotel

los gratos recuerdos que the happy memories we have of

tenemos de España Spain

In contrast, adjectives that describe categorically rather than subjectively

generally follow the noun. Included among such adjectives are those that

place items in technical, scientific or other classifications, and also those

that assign characteristics such as colour, shape and condition:

un análisis sociológico a sociological analysis

una cinta azul a blue ribbon

una forma redonda a round shape

una silla rota a broken chair

Note: It is likely that an adjective qualified by an adverb is being used to qualify

the noun objectively. Therefore placement after the noun is probably the safest

option: un cantante muy popular ‘a very popular singer’, ropa muy moderna ‘very

trendy clothes’.

Some adjectives have different meanings depending on whether they come

before or after a noun:

antiguo la capital the ancient la antigua the former

antigua capital capital capital

medio el hombre the average medio half a glass

medio man vaso

nuevo una casa a brand-new una nueva a new

nueva house casa (another)

house

numeroso grupos large groups numerosos many

numerosos grupos groups

pobre amigos poor pobres unfortunate

pobres friends amigos friends

6.4.2.2

1111

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

6

Adjectives

60