Español — Adjective position
In Spanish the adjective usually follows the noun (una casa blanca), but it can precede it. With a small group of adjectives, moving them before the noun changes the meaning: compare un gran hombre and un hombre grande.
How it works
The neutral, default position is after the noun, where the adjective describes or distinguishes: una casa blanca, un coche rojo, agua fría. Before the noun the adjective sounds more subjective or marks an inherent, non-distinguishing quality: la blanca nieve, mi querido amigo. For a set of adjectives (gran/grande, pobre, viejo, nuevo, cierto, antiguo) the two positions carry two different meanings.
Examples
| Before the noun | After the noun | Contrast of meaning |
|---|---|---|
| un gran hombre | un hombre grande | a great man vs. a big / tall man |
| un pobre hombre | un hombre pobre | an unfortunate / pitiable man vs. a man without money |
| un viejo amigo | un amigo viejo | a longtime friend vs. an elderly friend |
| un nuevo coche | un coche nuevo | another / different car vs. a brand-new car |
| cierta información | información cierta | certain / some information vs. true, reliable information |
| una antigua casa | una casa antigua | a former house (once mine) vs. an old, ancient house |
Good to know
grande shortens to gran before any singular noun, masculine or feminine: un gran día, una gran idea — but the full form returns after the noun (un día grande) and in the plural (grandes ideas). Don't force the pre-nominal meaning onto a plain descriptor: un coche nuevo is simply a new car; only the contrast with un nuevo coche creates the 'another car' reading.