Position of adjectives
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Position of adjectives
Adjectives normally go after a noun or the verbs ser, estar (both: to be) and parecer (to seem, to look).
Nacho parece tonto.
Nacho looks dumb.
El tango argentino.
The Argentine tango.
Sometimes the adjective goes before a noun for emphasis.
Una pequeña habitación.
A small room.
Un bonito hotel.
A beautiful hotel.
Some adjectives change their meaning depending on whether they are placed before or after the noun.
| After | Before | Examples | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bueno | Morally good, kind | Good quality | Un hombre bueno (A good man) Un buen trabajo (A good job) |
| Malo | Evil | Mediocre, poor | Un hombre malo (A bad man) Un mal día (A bad day) |
| Grande | Large | Great | Un bolso grande (A big bag) Una gran doctora (A great doctor) |
| Único | Unique | Only, sole, single (1) | Un amigo único (A unique friend) Un único vestido (A single dress) |
| Pobre | Impoverished | Unhappy, unfortunate | Un país pobre (A poor country) ¡Pobre hombre! (Poor man!) |
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