Adjectives that describe the qualities of a noun (what something or someone is like) generally follow the noun in Spanish: un precio especial, un hotel bueno, una mujer inteligente, etc. Adjectives of quantity and demonstrative adjectives precede the noun: cinco habitaciones, muchos taxis, pocas personas, otro día, este día, esta noche.

Occasionally, you will notice that native speakers change some of these rules; for example, you may sometimes hear a native speaker place a descriptive adjective in front of the noun: un nuevo chofer, un buen día, unos excelentes hoteles. These changes are for stylistic purposes and only slightly alter the meaning, placing more emphasis on the adjective than usual. An exception to this is grande. Before a noun, grande becomes gran and means ‘important,’ or ‘great.’

Examples of Adjectives: Uses

• Es mi hermana menor. Vive en Mérida, pero está aquí de visita un par de días.