Spanish · B1 · Everyday language
Describing what things contain in Spanish
This guide focuses on describing materials and substances using Spanish adjectives and uncountable nouns. In Spanish, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify, typically following the noun.
What you'll learn
- Identify common materials like wool, glass, and metal.
- Correctly place and agree adjectives with uncountable nouns.
- Describe the physical properties of substances found in everyday life.
Spanish phrases for describing what things contain
La lana suave se siente cómoda contra mi piel.
Soft wool feels comfortable against my skin.
'Suave' (soft) is an adjective that ends in -e, which is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns.
Necesitamos hilo fuerte para este botón.
We need strong thread for this button.
'Hilo' is a masculine noun; 'fuerte' (strong) follows it.
Hay arena fina dentro de mi zapato.
There is fine sand inside my shoe.
'Arena' is feminine, so the adjective 'fina' takes the -a ending.
El vidrio transparente deja pasar mucha luz.
Clear glass lets plenty of light through.
Unlike English, Spanish often uses the definite article (El) for materials acting as the subject.
Puedo sentir el metal frío debajo de la cubierta.
I can feel cold metal under the cover.
'Frío' agrees with the masculine noun 'metal'.
El aire fresco entra por la ventana abierta.
Fresh air comes through the open window.
'Aire' is masculine; 'fresco' (fresh) modifies it directly.
Esta botella contiene tinta azul.
This bottle contains blue ink.
Colors like 'azul' act as adjectives and follow the noun 'tinta'.
El cartón grueso sostendría la maqueta.
Thick cardboard would support the model.
'Grueso' (thick) is the masculine adjective for 'cartón'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Lana
Wool
Feminine noun.
Vidrio
Glass
Masculine noun; can also be called 'cristal'.
Cartón
Cardboard
Masculine noun, often used for packaging.
Tinta
Ink
Feminine noun, used for pens and printers.
Adjective Agreement with Uncountable Nouns
In Spanish, adjectives describing materials (mass nouns) must match the noun's gender. Masculine nouns usually take adjectives ending in -o or consonants, while feminine nouns take adjectives ending in -a. If an adjective ends in -e or -ista, it remains the same for both genders.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | Noun + -o / -e | Metal frío (Cold metal) |
| Feminine Singular | Noun + -a / -e | Arena fina (Fine sand) |
| Neutral Adjectives | -e / -l / -z | Vidrio transparente (Clear glass) |
More examples
El agua pura es esencial.
Pure water is essential.
'Agua' is feminine, but uses 'el' for sound; the adjective 'pura' remains feminine.
Usa papel reciclado para el dibujo.
Use recycled paper for the drawing.
'Papel' is masculine singular.