3.1 Grammar - Adjective Agreement
Completion requirements
Spanish Language and Culture 10-3Y
3.1 Adjective Agreement
¿Cómo es tu familia? ¿Grande? ¿Pequeña?
Each family is different. That is why it is important that you learn how to use adjectives to describe people and things in the Spanish language. Adjectives in Spanish agree with the noun they describe in gender and number. In Spanish, the adjective usually follows the noun.
Each family is different. That is why it is important that you learn how to use adjectives to describe people and things in the Spanish language. Adjectives in Spanish agree with the noun they describe in gender and number. In Spanish, the adjective usually follows the noun.
When adjectives end in "o", they have four different endings. Look at the following chart to see the different endings of the adjectives.
| Masculine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Singular | Feminine Plural |
| alto | altos | alta | altas |
| simpático | simpáticos | simpática | simpáticas |
| generoso | generosos | generosa | generosas |
Now, select each tab to listen to the sentences and read the explanations.
Masculine Singular
El hijo es alto.
When the noun is singular, the adjective also must be singular. El hijo is singular, so alto is also singular. Masculine singular adjectives usually end in o.
Examples
El hijo es alto.
When the noun is singular, the adjective also must be singular. El hijo is singular, so alto is also singular. Masculine singular adjectives usually end in o.
Examples
-
El abuelo es simpático.
-
El hermano es generoso.
Masculine Plural
Los hijos son altos.
When the noun is plural, the adjective must be plural, too. Los hijos is plural, so altos is also plural. In this sentence, the noun is plural and masculine, so we use the masculine and plural form of the adjective that usually ends with os.
Examples
Los hijos son altos.
When the noun is plural, the adjective must be plural, too. Los hijos is plural, so altos is also plural. In this sentence, the noun is plural and masculine, so we use the masculine and plural form of the adjective that usually ends with os.
Examples
-
Los abuelos son simpáticos.
-
Los hermanos son generosos.
Feminine Singular
La mamá es alta.
If the noun or pronoun is feminine, the form of the adjective must be feminine. La mamá is feminine, so alta is also feminine. Feminine singular adjectives usually end in a.
Examples
La mamá es alta.
If the noun or pronoun is feminine, the form of the adjective must be feminine. La mamá is feminine, so alta is also feminine. Feminine singular adjectives usually end in a.
Examples
-
La abuela es simpática.
-
La hermana es generosa.
Feminine Plural
Las mamás son altas.
In this sentence, the noun is plural and feminine, so we use the feminine and plural form of the adjective to describe it. Usually, the plural and feminine form of the adjective ends with as.
Examples
Las mamás son altas.
In this sentence, the noun is plural and feminine, so we use the feminine and plural form of the adjective to describe it. Usually, the plural and feminine form of the adjective ends with as.
Examples
-
Las abuelas son simpáticas.
-
Las hermanas son generosas.
Adjectives that end in the vowel "e" are neutral and are used for feminine or masculine nouns. They just have two forms: singular and plural. Look at the following chart to read the grammar explanations and see some examples.
| Singular | Plural |
|
¿Cómo es Patricia? Ella es inteligente. Patricia is a girl, but since inteligente ends in an "e," we do not change it to an "a." Luis es amable. |
¿Cómo son Luis y Patricia? Ellos son inteligentes. The plural form of adjectives that end with "e" is "es." Luis y Patricia son amables. |