Adjectives in SpanishAdjectives in Spanish

Los adjetivos en españolLos adjetivos en español

Adjectives are like mirrors:they reflect the gender andnumber of the noun they modify.

Adjective = Noun in form

Nouns have gender and numberin Spanish and so the adjective must reflect the same gender and number as its noun.

El chico simpáticoor

La chica simpática

or

Los chicos simpáticos

or

Las chicas simpáticas

Regular adjectives--those that end in o--change to the feminine by dropping the -o and adding -a; they thenchange to the plural by adding -s to either form:

alto

Masculine: Feminine:

Singular: alta

Plural: alto altas s

Most irregular adjectives--those that end in a letter other than o--only change the ending to indicate plurals. If the adjective ends in a consonant, theplural form adds -es.

Masculine: Feminine:

Singular

Plural

fácil fácil

fácil fáciles es

Adjectives that end in -or add -a to form the feminine:

El estudiante trabajador

La estudiante trabajadora

Adjectives that end in -z change the -z to -c and then add -es to form the plural:

El estudiante feliz

Los estudiantes felices

La estudiante feliz

Las estudiantes felices

If more than one adjective modifies and follows a noun , you may connect them with the conjunction -y:

Una muchacha simpática e interesante

or

Un muchacho bajo y ágil

So what is a “masculine” noun So what is a “masculine” noun anyway?anyway?

• Masculine nouns usually end with the Masculine nouns usually end with the letters L-O-N-E-R-S.letters L-O-N-E-R-S.

• Feminine nouns usually end in the lettersFeminine nouns usually end in the lettersD-ion-Z-A.D-ion-Z-A.

• To make nouns or adjectives plural add “s” To make nouns or adjectives plural add “s” to words ending with vowels, add “es” to to words ending with vowels, add “es” to words ending with consonants.words ending with consonants.Ex. El chico ---- Los chicosEx. El chico ---- Los chicos

el papel ---- Los papelesel papel ---- Los papeles

Adjectives not ending in -oAdjectives not ending in -o

• Adjs. ending in –e, -l, -r will have two forms Adjs. ending in –e, -l, -r will have two forms only – singular and plural. only – singular and plural.

Normal – normalesNormal – normales popular- popularespopular- populares

Azul – azulesAzul – azules

Verde – verdesVerde – verdes

Inteligente - InteligentesInteligente - Inteligentes

Interesante - InteresantesInteresante - Interesantes

Grande - GrandesGrande - Grandes

Examples of maculine and Examples of maculine and feminine nouns :feminine nouns :

MasculineMasculine FeminineFeminine

L – el papelL – el papel D – la ciudadD – la ciudad

O – el amigoO – el amigo ion – la televisiion – la televisiónón

N – el jardínN – el jardín Z – la actrizZ – la actriz

E – el cineE – el cine A – la amigaA – la amiga

R – el borradorR – el borrador

S – el sacapuntosS – el sacapuntos

Are these nouns masculine or Are these nouns masculine or feminine?feminine?

1.1. LecciLecciónón

2.2. TintaTinta

3.3. UniversidadUniversidad

4.4. EdificioEdificio

5.5. dedodedo

Exceptions:Exceptions:

• When a noun or adjective ends in “Z” the z When a noun or adjective ends in “Z” the z is changed to a “c” before making it pluralis changed to a “c” before making it plural

• The following are common exceptions to The following are common exceptions to gender rules:gender rules:– El aguaEl agua– La manoLa mano– El problema (and other words ending with “ma”)El problema (and other words ending with “ma”)– La florLa flor– La salLa sal