The adjectives modify the noun or pronoun in some way. They are divided into two groups:
Group 1) ADJECTIVES WITH OCASSIONAL MEANING
The context and the person included in it will define the use of this group.
- Possesive
- Demonstrative
- Indefinite
- Relative
- Interrogative and Exclamative
Group 2) ADJECTIVES WITH FIXED MEANING
It describes the qualities or characteristics of the noun (subject or thing). For example, "the yellow house".
- Qualifying
- Numerals
- Nationality
Note: The adjectives can also be derivatives, for example:
flaco / thin
flacucho / skinny
ADJECTIVES WITH OCCASIONAL MEANING
Its use depends upon the context and they are divided into:
Possessives
Demonstratives
Indefinites
Relatives
Interrogatives and exclamatives
1.-Possessive:
Shows possession and matches in gender and number with the noun.
El auto es mío / The car is mine.
La casa es mía / The house is mine
Mi padre y mi madre van al cine / My father and my mother go to the cinema.
2.-Demonstrative:
They point out a thing or person and can even show the position of the referenced object. They must match with the gender and the number of the noun they modify.
Esa flor es roja. / That flower is red.
Esos libros están en la mesa. / These books are on the table.
Esta casa es vieja./ This is an old house.
3.-Indefinite:
To be used for indefinite quantities. They must match in gender with the noun they modify.
Demasiada azúcar no es saludable / too much sugar is unhealthy.
Algunas vacas son negras / some cows are black.
4.-Relative:
These adjectives repeat or confirm the meaning of a word or words in the context.
Me gusta la casa cuyo jardín es hermoso. / I like the house of which the garden is beautiful.
Me gusta el árbol cuyas manzanas son rojas. / I like the tree of which the apples are red.
Elena vio cuantas cosas pudo. / Elena saw as many things as she could.
Cuanto más tengo.../ The more I have ...
5.-Interrogative and Exclamative Adjectives:
They repeat the meaning of a word or words from the context but with an interrogative expression or exclamatory attitude.
¡Cuánto calor hace!
¡Cuánta energía tienes!
¿Cuánto dinero tienes?
¿Cuántas pesetas tienes?
ADJECTIVES WITH FIXED MEANING
They refer to the qualities of the noun they modify and have to match the gender and number of the noun being modified.
Qualifying
Numeral
Nationality
1.-Qualifying:
They refer to the qualities of what they appoint.
A.- To Describe.
rojo, azul, (colors), cálido, frío
B.- To Qualify.
difícil, recta, grande, chico, limpio...
C.- To Compare
difícil ( simple difficulty quality adj.)
I.- más + adj + que (superiority)
más difícil que... / more difficult than
II.- tan + adj.+ como (equality)
tan difícil como... / as difficult as
igual + de + adj.+ que
igual de difícil que ...
III.- menos + adj.+ que (inferiority)
menos difícil que .../ less difficult than
D.- Superlative degree.
I.- muy + adj.
muy difícil / very difficult.
II.- el más + adj.+ de ( relative)
más difícil de la clase / The most difficult in the class.
III.- Drop the final vowel and add the following endings to any adjective to create the superlative form.
-ísimo, -ísima, -ísimos, -ísimas
dificilísimo / The highest degree of difficulty
2.-Numerals:
There are 5 kinds of adjectives in this category:
3.-Nationality:
They modify the noun by referring to the nationality or region of origin.
Templo maya / Mayan temple.
Vino francés / French wine.
Café colombiano / Colombian coffee.
