How to Make Adjectives Agree With Nouns They Modify in Spanish

Learning a language takes time and patience.

In Spanish, adjectives must agree with the noun that they modify in both number and gender, just like articles. For example, if you are describing one small cat that is blue and male you could say "El pequeno gato azul." In this example, the article "El" and the adjective "pequeno" are singular and masculine as is the noun "gato." Note that in this example the adjective "azul," which is always masculine, is singular to agree in number with the article and noun.

Instructions

1. Write down the phrase that you wish to translate in English. For example, "A small, blue, male cat."

2. Select the correct article for "a." In this case the object being described in singular and masculine so that article is "un."

3. Look up the adjectives "small" and "blue" in an English-Spanish dictionary. Words are listed as singular and masculine by default. In this case the proper forms are "pequeno" and "azul." Look up the noun for cat; the singular, masculine word for cat is "gato."

4. Arrange the words in the order that suits the nature of the modifier. Colors, classifications, memberships and nationalities typically go after the noun. Important modifiers that alter the significance of the object go before the noun. When multiple adjectives of similar importance are used they both go after the noun, separated by the conjunction and, "y." For example, "A small, blue, male cat" can be translated as "Un pequeno gato azul." In this example, the size of the cat is before the noun because it is important to the listener's understanding of the cat.

5. Increase the number of each word if you make the noun plural. In general, if a word ends in a vowel without an accent add "-s" to the end as in English. If the word ends in a consonant add "-es." For example, "Un pequeno gato azul" becomes "Unos pequeños gatos azules." There are exceptions to this rule so check the dictionary for the proper declination of nouns if you are unsure.

6. Convert the phrase, "a small, blue cat," to singular and feminine when talking about a female cat. Break down the sentence and translate it word by word. The singular, feminine article for "a" is "una;" the singular, feminine form of small is "pequena:" the singular, feminine word for "cat" is "gata." The word "azul" is singular and masculine, but it does not have an alternate feminine form. Exceptions such as these are not uncommon. In this case, "A small, blue female cat" translates as "una pequena gata azul."

7. Increase the number of all words when discussing more than one female cat. As with masculine nouns, if a word ends in a vowel without an accent add "-s;" if the word ends in a consonant add "-es." Change the singular, feminine article "un" to "unas" the plural, feminine form. Add an -s to "pequena" and "gata." Add an -es to "azul." Order the words with the size before and the color after the noun: unas pequenas gatas azules.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjectives are either singular or plural depending on the quantity of the object they are describing. Adjectives are either masculine or feminine depending on the gender of the noun they are modifying.

• Masculine nouns usually end with the letters -l,-o, -n, -e, -r or -s. While feminine nouns typically end with -d, -ion, -z, or -a.

• Some words have no feminine form, such as azul. Refer to a dictionary for information on these uncommon words.

• Do not attempt to change the gender of a word by adding an -a or -o ending. While this works in the case of gato/gata it does not work for all nouns. For example, the singular, masculine form for horse is "caballo" while the corresponding female form is "yegua." There is no concrete rule for memorizing which words can be converted by changing the ending, so it is best to memorize vocabulary words with the corresponding article. This way you know which word to use -- e.g., el caballo, la yegua, el gato, la gata.

References

• Study Spanish: Spanish Adjectives
• Language Guide.Org: Spanish Grammar: Artlicles
• "Spanish 2010"; Niobe O'Connor; 2010