Noun-Adjective sequence

Question

The word for the day is variado.

In the example notice that the first use of the adjective follows the noun (actividades variadas) as one would expect. However, in the second use (varios museos) the adjective precedes the noun. Why is this?

• El tour prometió actividades variadas, pero en realidad solo nos llevaron a varios museos

• The tour promised varied activities, but we really just went to a bunch of different museums.

Welcome to the forum , we want to help you so fill out your profile If you have a problem PM a mod Bienvenido al foro. Queremos ayudarle, entonces hay que llenar su perfil. Si hay un problema, envíe un mensaje personal (PM) - ray76, Jan 28, 2016

Please note that "varios" (as in "varios museos") is not the same as "variados" (as in "actividades variadas"). - jtaniel, Jan 28, 2016

Answer 1

Here is a general description of reasons for putting an adjective before or after a noun:

http://spanish.about.com/cs/grammar/a/whereadjective.htm

But in this case, as Jtaniel notes, varios (several) is not the same word as variado (varied), and like all adjectives that qualify the amount of something, although not discussed in my link, will normally precede it:

Muchos museos- many museums

Algunos museos- some museums

Varios museos- several museums

Unos pocos museos- a few museums

Etc.

I am sure you are used to that order with the other terms I just used.

:) - ian-hill, Jan 28, 2016

Answer 2

I think one can solve this English conundrum in Spanish.

"He is my oldest friend"

Does this mean he is older than all my other friends.

or I have been friends with him the longest.

In Spanish it is possible by putting the adjective before and after the noun.

But I can never remember which way round it goes

My guess is after means he is older, before means the longest. Nuevo first means new to you, nuevo after means actually new if I recall correctly. :) - bosquederoble, Jan 28, 2016

The link in my answer matches what I think, they used amigo viejo. :) - bosquederoble, Jan 28, 2016

Oh actually It is written in that link you have shared :) Here it is : "Mi viejo amigo, my longtime friend; mi amigo viejo, my elderly friend." - AndréYuhai, Jan 28, 2016

Gracias P F D :) - ian-hill, Jan 28, 2016

De nada ! :) - AndréYuhai, Jan 28, 2016