In Spanish, adjectives must match the nouns they describe in both gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). This grammatical feature is essential for constructing accurate sentences and communicating effectively. Let’s explore the rules and patterns of adjective agreement in Spanish.
Basic Rules
- Masculine Singular: Use the base form of the adjective.
- Feminine Singular: Usually add -a to the base form.
- Masculine Plural: Add -s or -es to the masculine singular form.
- Feminine Plural: Add -s to the feminine singular form.
Examples
- Masculine Singular: un chico alto (a tall boy)
- Feminine Singular: una chica alta (a tall girl)
- Masculine Plural: unos chicos altos (tall boys)
- Feminine Plural: unas chicas altas (tall girls)
Patterns and Exceptions
1. Adjectives Ending in -o
Most adjectives ending in -o follow the standard pattern:
- bonito (pretty):
- un coche bonito (a pretty car)
- una casa bonita (a pretty house)
- unos coches bonitos (pretty cars)
- unas casas bonitas (pretty houses)
2. Adjectives Ending in -e or a Consonant
These adjectives often remain the same for both masculine and feminine:
- inteligente (intelligent):
- un hombre inteligente (an intelligent man)
- una mujer inteligente (an intelligent woman)
- unos hombres inteligentes (intelligent men)
- unas mujeres inteligentes (intelligent women)
3. Nationality Adjectives Ending in a Consonant
Add -a for feminine, -es for plural:
- español (Spanish):
- un chico español (a Spanish boy)
- una chica española (a Spanish girl)
- unos chicos españoles (Spanish boys)
- unas chicas españolas (Spanish girls)
4. Adjectives Ending in -án, -ón, -or
These add -a for feminine and follow regular plural rules:
- hablador (talkative):
- un niño hablador (a talkative boy)
- una niña habladora (a talkative girl)
- unos niños habladores (talkative boys)
- unas niñas habladoras (talkative girls)
5. Invariable Adjectives
Some adjectives stay the same no matter the gender or number of the noun:
- marrón (brown):
- un zapato marrón (a brown shoe)
- una camisa marrón (a brown shirt)
- unos zapatos marrón (brown shoes)
- unas camisas marrón (brown shirts)
Conclusion
Mastering Spanish adjective agreement is fundamental for building grammatically sound sentences. By understanding these patterns and practicing with various examples, learners can elevate their Spanish proficiency and communicate with greater clarity and confidence!