Study Spanish - Adjectives

Adjectives

Adjectives are frequently descriptive. That is, most often adjectives are used to describe a noun, or distinguish the noun from a group of similar objects. For example, an adjective might describe the color of an object.

the red pen
the blue pen

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In Spanish, most adjectives change form, depending upon whether the word they modify is masculine or feminine. Notice the difference between "the tall boy" and "the tall girl."

el chico alto
la chica alta

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Adjectives also change form depending upon whether the word they modify is singular or plural. Notice the difference between "the tall boy" and "the tall boys" ; "the tall girl" and "the tall girls."

el chico alto
los chicos altos

la chica alta
las chicas altas

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Many common adjectives end in -o. These adjectives have four forms. The following words all mean "tall":

alto
alta
altos
altas

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The correct form of the adjective depends upon the noun it modifies. Is the noun masculine or feminine? Singular or plural?

libro rojo
red book

pluma roja
red pen

libros rojos
red books

plumas rojas
red pens

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Notice how the endings of the nouns and these adjectives are similar.

libro rojo
pluma roja
libros rojos
plumas rojas

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Adjectives that end in -e also change form for singular or plural. To form the plural, simply add -s.

la chica inteligente
las chicas inteligentes

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Adjectives that end in -e do not, however, change form for masculine or feminine.

la chica inteligente
el chico inteligente

las chicas inteligentes
los chicos inteligentes

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Similarly, most adjectives that end in a consonant do change form for singular or plural, but do not change for masculine or feminine. To form the plural, add -es.

la chica popular
el chico popular

las chicas populares
los chicos populares

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Let's review.

Adjectives that end in -o have four forms: alto, alta, altos, altas

Adjectives that end in -e have two forms: inteligente, inteligentes

Most adjectives that end in a consonant have two forms: popular, populares (form plural by adding -es)