Jan
How do you use multiple adjectives in Spanish How do you use multiple adjectives in Spanish? For example, if I wanted to say in Spanish: 'A big old warm grey coat' or 'a pair of matching grey woolly gloves' or 'a tight red stripped skirt' Is there a certain order that these adjectives need to be in? Do you have to use the word 'and' after each adjective? For example, 'un abrigo grande y viejo y gris y caliente' = 'A big old warm grey coat'. Thank you in advance.
Nov 30, 2015 4:06 PM
Answers · 8
1
Hello, Jan: Well,the most common solution is use "," and "y". That's to say: "un abrigo grande, viejo, gris y caliente". In this case, there's is no a mandatory order, it depends on your intention. There can be a certain order that some adjectives should follow but it depends on which kind of adjective is. (valorative adjective) Noun 1 (classifying adjective) 2 (qualitative) -->> but take note, however, that's something Spanish people don't learn (and don't use it) due it has more to do with philological issues than with regular Spanish. Regards.
November 30, 2015
I was taught that in English there is an order when you use adjectives: size, colour, material ... (I don't remember the order) in Spain there is not such a firm structure. Let me give you an example, by using your sentences (the 3 options are correct and you can use the adjectives in a way or another): Una falda ajustada, de rayas, roja. Una falda roja, de rayas y ajustada. Una falda de rayas, roja y ajustada. Un par de guantes de lana gris. Un par de guantes gris, de lana. Un abrigo grande, viejo, caliente y gris Un abrigo viejo, caliente, gris y grande Un abrigo caliente, gris, grande y viejo When you use different adjectives, you normally use the comma and Y when you are writing the last one.
November 30, 2015
There is not a correct order, you can order them as you want.. But, it would be better if you say "Un abrigo grande y viejo, aunque también caliente". You can say "Un abrigo grande, viejo y caliente" also. But it's better if you only use 1 o 2 adj in a sentence. You can create another sentence for the other adjectives: "Un abrigo rojo, grande y caliente, hecho de algodón. Muy bonito!"
November 30, 2015
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