Adjectives - before or after the noun?

Question

I am confused about how to know when u should put the adjective before the noun or after it. Does it make a difference? For example, what is the difference between el pobre niño está perdido and *El niño pobre está perdido.*? Or is there a difference at all?

Answer 1

It can make a difference depending on the particular adjective. Other times it´s a matter of emphasis.

In your example "el pobre niño está perdido" - you are feeling sorry for the kid and not necessarily expressing anything about how much money he may or may not have.

"El niño pobre está perdido." - you are defining the kid as being poor as well as lost.

Answer 2

It makes a difference. Read about it on our reference page: Placement

pobre

(before the noun) : unfortunate

(after the noun) : poor

Answer 3

Yeah there is. El pobre niño - ah, poor kid. El niño pobre - this kid is poor, he has no money.