Using "demasiado"
When using "demasiado" you would change the ending to match the sentence. But can you explain which part of the sentence?
I am practicing error detection excercises. The given sentences are
- Soy demasiada gorda y no estoy muy contenta. Mi mamá quiere que esté a dieta pero es difícil porque todo el tiempo tengo un hambre de perros. ( demasiada, muy esté and a as marked are the choices to correct as possible errors)
The answer key says it should be demasiada and the correct form is demasiado.
Why is that? I do not understand why it does not change to match gorda. THANKS
5 Answers
If in English you are saying that something is "too extreme" (like in your example), then you are using an adverb:
In that case, it is always "demasiado" in Spanish:
I (a male) am too fat. Estoy demasiado gordo.
I (a female) am too fat. Estoy demasiado gorda.
The movies are too long. Las películas son demasiado largas.
She is too tall. Ella es demasiado alta.
He is too tall. Él es demasiado alto.
The cars are too slow. Los coches son demasiado lentos.
If, however, you are talking about too much or too many of something in English, then you are using an adjective.
In that case, "demasiado" changes in number and in gender to match the thing that there is too much, or too many, of.
Some easy examples:
There are too many cars. Hay demasiados coches.
There is too much milk. Hay demasiada leche.
There are too many apples. Hay demasiadas manzanas.
There is too much juice. Hay demasiado zumo.
De nada!
Remember, adverbs not only modify verbs, but they also modify adjectives and other adverbs.
Another way to remember that "demasiado" doesn't change form as an adverb, is that "muy" is also an adverb, and it never changes form.
That is a long movie. How long? Too long! (demasiado larga) Very long! (muy larga)
He is a tall man. How tall? Too tall! (demasiado alto) Very tall! (muy alto)
And since you wouldn't have "too cars", or "too milk" (or "very cars", or "very milk") in English, you have to use "demasiado" as an adjective in Spanish to match number and gender:
too many cars - demasiados coches
too much milk - demasiada leche
Sooooooo.... if it is followed by an adjective it is ALWAYS demesiado but when followed by a noun it is changed to match the noun. Got it! What a great explanation. Thank you. You cleared up something in I just could not get until you explained it! The examples are perfect. Muchas gracias.
De acuerdo con ana413
interesante pregunta!!!!
