Agreement & Position
In Spanish, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify, and their position can change meaning or emphasis. This guide covers agreement and typical placement so you can describe things accurately and naturally.
Agreement
Adjectives agree with the noun in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural). If the noun is feminine plural, the adjective must be feminine plural too.
Gender
Most adjectives that end in -o have a feminine form ending in -a, and they match the noun's gender.
Number
To make adjectives plural, add -s or -es to match the noun's number. Adjectives must be plural if the noun is plural.
Adjectives That Agree in Form
Some adjectives end in -e or a consonant and have the same form for masculine and feminine, changing only for number.
Position
Adjective position affects meaning and emphasis. Placing an adjective before the noun can make it more subjective or highlight a quality, while placing it after usually states a more neutral or specific characteristic.
Adjectives That Typically Precede the Noun
Short, common adjectives like bueno, malo, gran, nuevo often come before the noun and sometimes change meaning when moved.
Adjectives That Typically Follow the Noun
Descriptive adjectives that add precise detail usually follow the noun, and placing them before can sound poetic or change nuance.
Changing Meaning
Some adjectives change meaning depending on whether they come before or after the noun, so position is important for conveying the intended sense.
Special Cases
Certain adjectives and expressions behave irregularly or have fixed positions, and some adjectives agree with abstract nouns differently.
Summary
Adjectives must agree in gender and number with their nouns, and their position—before or after the noun—can change meaning or emphasis. Paying attention to these details makes descriptions clear and natural in Spanish.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025