Adjectives ----?

Question

I don't understand something. I hope you can help...

when do I put the adjective in front of the noun (like "buen dia") and when do i need to say like always (for example "coche nuevo...I hope Its the right way to say it)

Thanks

Answer 1

The basic distinction is this:

The adjective is used after the noun to differentiate the noun from others. In "Le daré un regalo a los estudiantes simpáticos" (I'll give a present to the nice students), the present will go only to the nice ones, and not to the rest. I am using "simpático" to differentiate which students I'm talking about.

The adjective is used before the noun to highlight some features, not to differentiate, so "Le daré un regalo a los simpáticos estudiantes", the present will go to all the students, which, by the way, are all nice. No differentiation is done here -only highlighting a feature of the students.

Some groups of adjectives are used in different positions for specific uses, but I won't give you the full list. Try the reference section.

I think people who actually know the rules for these sorts of things are genius. Personally I just write what sounds best to my ears. It normally comes out alright, but then I'm a native speaker so... - Vince_Peña, Feb 6, 2011

Hi Vince, people would need a plural so, are geniuses. - Eddy, Feb 6, 2011