Spanish · A2 · Everyday language
The small details matter in Spanish
Helping your child find specific objects around the house often involves using descriptive adjectives. In Spanish, these adjectives usually come after the noun and must match the noun in both gender and number.
What you'll learn
- Correctly place adjectives after the noun they describe.
- Match adjectives to the gender (masculine/feminine) of the noun.
- Match adjectives to the number (singular/plural) of the noun.
- Use definite articles (el, la, los, las) to specify familiar items.
Spanish phrases for the small details matter
El espejo redondo está en el pasillo.
The round mirror is in the hall.
'Espejo' is masculine, so 'redondo' ends in 'o'.
Necesito la cuchara larga.
I need the long spoon.
'Cuchara' is feminine, so 'larga' ends in 'a'.
¿Puedes alcanzar la toalla roja?
Can you reach the red towel?
Use 'alcanzar' for reaching for an object.
La ventana pequeña está abierta.
The small window is open.
'Abierta' describes the state of the window.
Nos llevamos el cojín suave.
We are taking the soft cushion.
'Nos llevamos' suggests taking it away with you.
Las tazas azules ya están limpias.
The blue cups are already clean.
Adjectives ending in consonants like 'azul' add 'es' for plural.
No encuentro los calcetines gruesos.
I cannot find the thick socks.
'Gruesos' changes to plural to match 'calcetines'.
La tapa verde cabe en este frasco.
The green lid fits this jar.
Adjectives ending in 'e' like 'verde' stay the same for both genders.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
espejo
mirror
Masculine noun.
tapa
lid
Feminine noun; also commonly refers to small Spanish appetizers.
grueso
thick
Used for physical thickness/width.
suave
soft
Describes texture or sound.
Adjective Agreement and Placement
In Spanish, adjectives typically follow the noun. They must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun they modify.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | El + [Noun] + -o | El gato blanco (The white cat) |
| Feminine Singular | La + [Noun] + -a | La gata blanca (The white cat) |
| Masculine Plural | Los + [Noun] + -os | Los gatos blancos (The white cats) |
| Feminine Plural | Las + [Noun] + -as | Las gatas blancas (The white cats) |
More examples
Pásame el plato grande.
Pass me the big plate.
'Grande' works for both masculine and feminine nouns.
¿Dónde están las llaves pequeñas?
Where are the small keys?
Plural feminine agreement used here.