3.2.0: Gramática
Los adjetivos descriptivos
Let’s talk about the words we can use to describe nouns -- los adjetivos descriptivos ( descriptive adjectives ).
An adjective describes a noun - this unit we will learn a lot of adjetivos descriptivos , descriptive adjectives, to describe physical appearance and personality traits.
What do you notice about adjectives in these examples?
Modelo:
- ¡La familia de Mariana es muy amable !
- Ellos son muy divertidos y graciosos .
- La familia lejana de Mariana es grande.
- Mi familia mexicana es muy cariñosa .
Yes! You guessed! Descriptive adjectives in Spanish must agree with the gender and number of the noun they describe. This is different from English. Another difference is that adjectives are usually placed after the noun they describe (e.g., la familia lejana).
Important rules for adjectives:
- Gender and number (plurality) agreement: adjectives must match the noun they describe in gender ( masculino o feminino ) and number ( singular o plural )
- Placement: descriptive adjectives go after the noun they describe
You already know some descriptive adjectives in the first module. And here we offer you more!
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alto |
tall |
|---|---|
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bajo |
short (height) |
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pequeño |
small |
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grande |
big |
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delgado/flaco |
thin |
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gordo |
fat |
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moreno |
with dark hair/dark-skinned |
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güero/rubio |
blonde or light-skinned |
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pelirrojo |
red headed |
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calvo |
bald |
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abierto/a |
open-minded/open |
|---|---|
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aburrido/a |
boring |
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amable |
nice |
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antipático/a |
unfriendly |
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cómico/gracioso/a |
funny/witty |
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cariñoso/a |
loving, affectionate |
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divertido/a |
fun |
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grosero/a |
rude |
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perezoso/a |
lazy |
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simpático/a |
friendly |
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tímido/a |
shy |
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trabajador/a |
hard-working |
Los cognados: These words are very similar in Spanish and English. What do they mean? Write the meaning next to the word in Spanish.
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ansioso/a |
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|---|---|
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complicado/a |
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difícil |
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energético/a |
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extrovertido/a |
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introvertido/a |
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liberal |
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conservador/a |
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moderno/a |
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nervioso/a |
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optimista |
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pesimista |
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perfeccionista |
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sociable |
Ser and Tener
You have already learned the verb Ser in Unit 1. You may use Ser conjugations with any of the descriptive adjectives we have learned so far.
Modelo:
- Yo soy morena.
- Él es rubio.
- Ellos son altos.
- Nosotros somos inteligentes.
There are a few exceptions that will use Tener conjugations when you describe hair (color and length) and eyes (color). We will learn the verb Tener more formally in Unit 4. For right now, become familiar with the following phrases:
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Hair:
- Yo tengo pelo moreno.
- Él tiene pelo rubio.
- Ella tiene pelo corto.
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Eyes:
- Yo tengo ojos azules.
- Tú tienes ojos marrones.
- Élla tiene ojos verdes.
Use this chat mat as you converse with others: