The rule, in plain English
Look at the noun first, then make the adjective match it. With an -o adjective, use -o for one masculine noun, -a for one feminine noun, and add -s for more than one: libro rojo, casa roja, libros rojos, casas rojas. Adjectives ending in -e usually only add -s: libro interesante, casas interesantes. Most adjectives come after the noun.
Why it's hard for English speakers
English keeps red unchanged in red car and red cars. Spanish makes the adjective echo the noun. A quick check helps: one or more than one, then masculine or feminine? The detailed tables cover the endings that do not follow the basic pattern.
Worked examples
Start with these worked examples, then reveal more when you are ready.
- El coche rojo está fuera.The red car is outside.Four-form -o adjectives: Rojo is masculine singular to match el coche.
- La falda roja cuesta treinta euros.The red skirt costs thirty euros.Four-form -o adjectives: Roja is feminine singular to match la falda.
- Los coches rojos son rápidos.The red cars are fast.Four-form -o adjectives: Rojos and rápidos are masculine plural to match los coches.
- Las faldas rojas están rebajadas.The red skirts are on sale.Four-form -o adjectives: Both adjectives take feminine plural -as to agree with las faldas.
- Un niño pequeño juega aquí.A small boy plays here.Four-form -o adjectives: Pequeño matches one masculine noun.
- Unas niñas pequeñas juegan aquí.Some small girls play here.Four-form -o adjectives: Pequeñas matches a feminine plural noun.
- Es un libro interesante.It is an interesting book.Adjectives ending in -e: Interesante has the same singular form with masculine and feminine nouns.
- Es una película interesante.It is an interesting film.Adjectives ending in -e: An adjective ending in -e normally does not change for feminine gender.
- Son unos libros interesantes.They are some interesting books.Adjectives ending in -e: Interesante adds -s for plural: interesantes.
- Son unas películas interesantes.They are some interesting films.Adjectives ending in -e: The same plural form interesantes works with feminine nouns.
- Buscamos un bolso grande.We are looking for a large bag.Adjectives ending in -e: Grande is singular and does not change for masculine gender.
- Venden unas casas grandes.They are selling some large houses.Adjectives ending in -e: Grande adds -s for the plural noun casas: grandes.
Main adjective agreement classes
| Class | Masculine singular | Feminine singular | Masculine plural | Feminine plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -o: rojo | rojo | roja | rojos | rojas |
| -e: interesante | interesante | interesante | interesantes | interesantes |
| most consonants: azul | azul | azul | azules | azules |
| nationality: español | español | española | españoles | españolas |
| -or: trabajador | trabajador | trabajadora | trabajadores | trabajadoras |
| -ista: optimista | optimista | optimista | optimistas | optimistas |
| -z: feliz | feliz | feliz | felices | felices |
Position and common shortened forms
| Pattern | Before the noun | After the noun | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| bueno | un buen libro | un libro bueno | good; buen before masculine singular |
| malo | un mal día | un día malo | bad; mal before masculine singular |
| grande | una gran ciudad | una ciudad grande | great/important vs physically large |
| antiguo | mi antiguo trabajo | un edificio antiguo | former vs old/ancient |
| primero | el primer día | — | primer before masculine singular |
| tercero | el tercer piso | — | tercer before masculine singular |
Agreement with groups
| Nouns in the group | Adjective form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| all masculine | masculine plural | Juan y Pablo son altos. |
| all feminine | feminine plural | Ana y Marta son altas. |
| mixed genders | masculine plural | Ana y Pablo son altos. |
| gender-invariant adjective | same gender form, plural ending | Ana y Pablo son inteligentes. |
Common mistakes
- las casas blancolas casas blancasBlancas must agree with casas in feminine plural form.
- los libros interesante rojolos libros interesantes rojosBoth adjectives must agree with the masculine plural noun libros.
- una chica trabajadoruna chica trabajadoraAdjectives ending in -or add -a for the feminine form.
- un grande hotelun gran hotelGrande shortens to gran before a singular noun.
Practice
the red flowers = las flores ___
tall (fem. sing.) = ___
unas chicas ___
big houses = casas ___
Spanish women = mujeres ___
los coches ___
an interesting story = una historia ___
Choose the fully agreeing phrase.