Position of Descriptive Adjectives in Spanish

Vocabulary flashcards covering how the placement of Spanish descriptive adjectives before or after a noun changes their meaning.

Alto (before noun)

High (e.g., 'El alto funcionario' means 'The high official').

Alto (after noun)

Tall (e.g., 'El funcionario alto' means 'The tall official').

Antiguo (before noun)

Old in the sense of former or not current (e.g., 'El antiguo contrato' means 'The old/former contract').

Antiguo (after noun)

Old in the sense of not new or ancient (e.g., 'La mesa antigua' means 'The old table').

Bueno (before noun)

Good in capability or performance, such as studious (e.g., 'Un buen estudiante' means 'A good student').

Bueno (after noun)

Good in terms of character or morality (e.g., 'Un hombre bueno' means 'A good/moral man').

Cierto (before noun)

Certain or indeterminate (e.g., 'Cierto tono' means 'Certain tone').

Cierto (after noun)

True (e.g., 'Una declaración cierta' means 'A true statement').

Diferente (before noun)

Various or several (e.g., 'Diferentes lugares' means 'Various or several places').

Diferente (after noun)

Different or distinct (e.g., 'Lugares diferentes' means 'Different or distinct places').

Grande (before noun)

Great (e.g., 'Un gran hombre' means 'A great man').

Grande (after noun)

Big (e.g., 'Un hombre grande' means 'A big man').

Medio (before noun)

Half (e.g., 'Medio litro' means 'Half a litre').

Medio (after noun)

Middle (e.g., 'La clase media' means 'The middle class').

Nuevo (before noun)

New in the sense of latest or recent addition (e.g., 'El nuevo contrato' means 'The new/latest contract').

Nuevo (after noun)

Brand-new (e.g., 'Un coche nuevo' means 'A brand-new car').

Pobre (before noun)

Poor in the sense of unfortunate or pitiful (e.g., 'El pobre hombre' means 'The poor/unfortunate man').

Pobre (after noun)

Poor in the sense of not rich (e.g., 'Un hombre pobre' means 'A poor/not rich man').

Puro (before noun)

Sheer or just (e.g., 'Pura suerte' means 'Sheer luck / just luck').

Puro (after noun)

Pure or uncontaminated (e.g., 'Agua pura' means 'Pure water').

Raro (before noun)

Rare (e.g., 'La rara habilidad' means 'The rare ability').

Raro (after noun)

Strange (e.g., 'Una voz rara' means 'A strange voice').

Simple (before noun)

Just or simple, nothing more (e.g., 'Un simple adiós' means 'Just a simple good-bye').

Simple (after noun)

Simpleton or simple-minded (e.g., 'Un hombre simple' means 'A simpleton').

Triste (before noun)

Humble, insignificant, or mere (e.g., 'Una triste manzana' means 'Just one humble/insignificant apple').

Triste (after noun)

Sad (e.g., 'Una empleada triste' means 'A sad employee').

Único (before noun)

Only (e.g., 'Mi único problema' means 'My only problem').

Único (after noun)

Unique (e.g., 'Un problema único' means 'A unique problem').

Viejo (before noun)

Old in the sense of longtime (e.g., 'Un viejo amigo' means 'An old/longtime friend').

Viejo (after noun)

Old in the sense of aged (e.g., 'Un amigo viejo' means 'An old/aged friend').