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Spanish and its distinction between ser and estar

As mentioned in previous articles, Spanish is one of the world’s most extensive and diverse languages ​​. It also stands out for a particularity that distinguishes it from many other languages: the difference between the verbs “ser” and “estar” to express the concept of “being” in different senses. This distinction, which may seem complex to non-native speakers, reflects a philosophical and historical depth that has influenced the language’s grammar and how speakers perceive reality.

The distinction between “ser” and “estar”: origin and philosophy

The separation between the concepts of “ser” and “estar” has roots in Vulgar Latin, the colloquial form of Latin spoken by ordinary citizens in the Roman Empire. Although in popular Latin, there was still no differentiation between the verb that referred to the essence or nature of things and the verb that referred to temporary states or conditions, there were esse (to exist) and stare (to stand). As Latin evolved into the Romance languages, Spanish retained these two verbs and expanded their meaning. In contrast, other languages ​​, such as Italian or French, simplified their verbal systems and merged these concepts into a single verb.

Philosophically, the distinction between “ser” and “estar” implies a dual view of reality: a difference between the immutable essence of something and its transitory state or condition. When we use “ser,” we are talking about an intrinsic or defining quality, as in “es una persona gentil.” When we use “estar,” we point to a momentary condition, as in “está cansado.” This usage reflects a complex perception in which Spanish distinguishes between the permanent and the temporary, the essential and the accidental.

Examples in other languages

Spanish is not the only language that distinguishes between two concepts of “being”. In Galician and Catalan, other Romance languages ​​of the Iberian Peninsula, two verbs differentiate between an essential quality and a temporary condition. This distinction is crucial in Galician, for example, where “ser” and “estar” are used in a way essential to understanding the language.

Outside of the Romance languages, modern Greek also has an interesting differentiation between the verb “είμαι” (eímai) to describe more permanent states and additional verbs to describe transitory states, although there is no exact correspondence. In other Indo-European languages ​​, such as Hindi, some verbs specialise in expressing temporary conditions versus permanent states, although they do not function like in English. This trend indicates that the need to separate concepts of ser and estar reflects, in part, how different cultures interpret reality.

Consequences of Teaching Spanish

For students of Spanish as a foreign language, distinguishing between “ser” and “estar” is one of the most challenging aspects to master. This is particularly true for speakers of languages ​​that do not have this distinction—English, for example. In English, the verb “to be” covers both meanings, and the distinction is only inferred from context or additional modifiers. This reliance on context and modifiers to understand the distinction in English can make it challenging for learners to grasp when to use ‘ser’ or ‘estar’ in Spanish, as it requires a shift in understanding how a language can structure and categorise reality more precisely in terms of permanence and temporality.

The different use of “ser” and “estar” not only enriches the vocabulary of Spanish but also provides a powerful tool to express ideas and nuances that in other languages ​​require longer explanations. The language thus reflects a particular sensitivity towards the characteristics of people, objects and situations, showing a nuance that has both linguistic and cultural roots. For example, in Spanish, we can say “él se dejó ser” and “él se dejó estar”, and both expressions refer to totally different things. The first alludes to the fact that he decided to live the life he wanted. The second expression indicates that he abandoned himself, probably referring to his physical condition, causing the years to affect his physical state negatively.

The duality between “ser” and “estar” in Spanish is not merely a grammatical issue; it reflects how Spanish speakers perceive reality and distinguish between what is essential and what is transitory. This differentiation, shared to a certain extent with other languages, reveals a cultural depth that is part of the identity of the language. By learning to use “ser” and “estar,” one learns a grammatical rule, and at the same time, one better understands the richness of a language that seeks to capture the essence and change precisely. Isn’t that beautiful?

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Using prepositions in Spanish: Complete guide with rules and exceptions

Prepositions are small words that play a crucial role in sentence structure, allowing relationships to be established between different elements. Although they may seem simple, their correct use can challenge both native speakers and Spanish learners. Prepositions can indicate location, time, cause, and belonging, among other things, and their misuse can alter the meaning of a sentence. In this article, we will explore the basic rules for using prepositions in Spanish and the exceptions and exceptional cases that often confuse.

What are prepositions?

Prepositions are invariable words that introduce complements and connect different elements within a sentence. For example, in the sentence: Voy a la tienda (I’m going to the store), the preposition a connects the verb voy with the place la tienda, indicating direction. Some of the most common prepositions in Spanish include a, de, en, con, por, para, sin, sobre, and desde, among others.

Basic rules for the use of prepositions

1. Using “a” to indicate direction or movement:

The preposition “a” expresses movement or direction toward a place or a goal. It is essential to let you know a destination.

  • Example: “Voy a la universidad” (I’m going to university) (direction).
  • Example: “Llamé a mi madre” (I called my mother) (goal or recipient).

An essential rule with a is that it is also used before direct objects when they are people, known as the “personal a”.

  • Example: “Vi a Juan en el parque” (I saw Juan in the park).

This rule is omitted when the direct object is not a person:  “Vi el perro” (I saw the dog).

2. “De” to indicate belonging, origin or cause

The preposition ‘de’ is a versatile tool in Spanish grammar. Its applications range from expressing possession and origin to indicating matter, among other uses. Its broad applicability will enhance your understanding of the language.

  • Example: “Este libro es de María” (This book is Maria’s) (belonging).
  • Example:  “Soy de España” (I am from Spain) (origin).
  • Example: “La mesa es de madera” (The table is made of wood) (material).

It is important not to confuse the use of “de” with “desde” since the latter indicates a starting point in space or time: “El tren salió desde la estación” (The train left from the station).

3. “En” to indicate location or time

The preposition “en” generally indicates location or time. Unlike “a,” which implies movement, “en” means something or someone is in a specific place without indicating displacement.

  • Example: “Estoy en casa” (location).
  • Example: “Nos vemos en enero” (time).

An interesting exception is that “en” is not always used for transportation since we say: “Voy a pie” (not “en pie”).

4. “Por” and “para”: a typical case of confusion

These two prepositions often need clarification because, in some contexts, they have similar meanings in other languages, such as English. However, in Spanish, they have particular uses:

  • “Por” is used to express cause, means, duration or exchange.
  • Example: “Lo hago por ti” (I do it for you) (cause).
  • Example: “Viajo por tren” (I travel by train) (means).
  • Example: “Estudié por tres horas” (I studied for three hours) (duration).
  • “Para” indicates destination, purpose or recipient.
  • Example: “Este regalo es para ti” (This gift is for you) (recipient).
  • Example:  “Trabajo para ganar dinero” (I work to earn money) (purpose).

5. “Con” for company or instrument

The preposition “con” indicates company or how an action is carried out.

  • Example: “Fui al cine con mis amigos” (I went to the movies with my friends) (company).
  • Example:  “Corto el pan con un cuchillo” (I cut bread with a knife) (instrument).

It’s important to note that there are exceptions to the use of ‘con ‘. In verbal expressions such as  soñar con (dream about) or enamorarse de (fall in love with), the meaning does not indicate company but rather an idiomatic construction. Understanding these exceptions can be a challenging yet engaging part of learning the Spanish language.

Exceptions and special cases

Prepositions in Spanish, although they follow explicit rules, also present exceptional cases that must be memorised:

  • “A” + infinitive: The preposition “a” can be followed by an infinitive to indicate an imminent purpose or action: “Voy a estudiar.”
  • “De” + infinitive: In expressions like “acabar de + infinitivo,” an action that has just happened is expressed: “Acabo de llegar.”
  • Verbs with a fixed preposition: Some verbs in Spanish always require a specific preposition. For example:
  • “Depender de”.
  • “Soñar con”.
  • “Consistir en”.

Using the wrong preposition in these cases alters the meaning or results in a grammatical error.

Tips to avoid common mistakes

  1. Memorize the prepositions that accompany certain verbs: Some verbs always require a specific preposition, such as “fall in love with” or “think about.” Learning these cases is crucial in avoiding mistakes.
  • Context is key: The meaning of a preposition can shift depending on the context. For instance, “por” can denote cause (“Lo hice por ti”/ ”I did it for you”) or means (“Hablé por teléfono”/ “I spoke on the phone”). Understanding these nuances will boost your confidence in using prepositions correctly.
  • Beware of literal translations: Not all prepositions have a direct counterpart in another language. For instance, in English, we say “think about,” but in Spanish, it’s “pensar en.” Being mindful of these differences will enhance your language skills.

Correct use of prepositions is essential for clarity and precision in Spanish. Although they may seem difficult due to the numerous rules and exceptions, with practice and attention, they can be mastered. Remembering the basic rules, memorising the exceptions, and observing the context in which they are used can help you avoid common mistakes and improve your fluency in Spanish.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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The importance of pronouns in the clarity of sentences

When we use language, whatever it may be, we are not necessarily thinking about how it works – in fact, it would be strange to be thinking about that all the time – but if we look at the function of pronouns, we will see that they have a grammatical function as well as a social (semantic) function.

Pronouns are a cornerstone of language, facilitating more fluid and efficient communication. They act as substitutes for names or nouns, preventing their constant repetition and making speech more dynamic and less redundant. However, the correct use of pronouns is not just about the economy of language but also about the clarity of sentences. Using pronouns correctly is crucial, as it can significantly improve the understanding of a message and prevent misunderstandings or ambiguities.

The grammatical function of pronouns

One of the most significant benefits of using pronouns correctly is that it makes it easier to connect sentences. Pronouns allow us to connect ideas coherently, referring to previously mentioned elements without repeating them. For example, instead of saying, “María tomó el libro de Juan porque a María le interesaba el libro de Juan” (Mary took John’s book because Mary was interested in John’s book), we can use pronouns and say, “María tomó el libro de Juan porque le interesaba” (Mary took John’s book because she was interested in it). Here, the pronoun le not only simplifies the sentence but also makes it more evident which person or thing is being referred to, eliminating unnecessary repetition.

However, if pronouns are not used correctly or are not clearly related to their antecedents, they can be confused. Let’s go back to the example above. If we were to say, “María tomó el libro de Juan porque le interesaba” (Mary took John’s book because she was interested in it), but without a clear context, it might raise doubts as to whether le refers to Mary or John. This type of ambiguity can make it challenging to understand the message. It is, therefore, essential to ensure that the antecedent of the pronoun (the noun it refers to) is clearly established and that there is no possibility of confusion about what or who it refers to.

Another aspect to consider is the agreement between the pronoun and its antecedent regarding gender, number, and person. A common mistake is using a plural pronoun when the antecedent is singular, which can lead to ambiguity. For example, if you say, “El equipo ganó y ellos celebraron” (the team won, and they celebrated), the sentence suggests that the team is made up of several people, but if the context indicates that “equipo” (team) is a singular entity, such as a group, the pronoun should be él o ella.

The social function of pronouns

In the social aspect, it must be considered that there are formal and informal pronouns. Formal pronouns have the function of expressing respect, courtesy or social distance in a conversation. They are essential in contexts where the level of formality or social conventions dictate that deference must be shown, whether due to hierarchy, ignorance, or a respectful tone. In many languages, including Spanish, these pronouns allow us to distinguish between more familiar and informal communication and more respectful and formal communication. In Spanish, the most common formal pronouns are usted and ustedes. These replace the informal pronouns tú ​​and vosotros (in the case of Spain). Another social aspect is the importance of pronouns in the inclusion of various groups such as LGTB+, where in the case of Spanish, the pronouns elle and le emerge as new forms of expression and integration.

In conclusion, pronouns are potent tools that simplify language and prevent repetition. However, their misuse can lead to confusion. Therefore, using them accurately is crucial, ensuring they align with their context and agree in gender, number, and person. This precision is essential in fostering better understanding and more effective communication.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Let’s play Scrabble! The most common letters and words in Spanish

Have you ever played Scrabble? Scrabble is a crossword game in which players form words using letter tiles and a board divided into squares. Some letters and words in Spanish are more common and can be strategic to maximize your score. So, let’s explore how to use these frequent letters and words to play Scrabble in Spanish effectively.

Most common letters

In the Spanish language, the most common letters are the vowels “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, and “u”, along with the consonants “s”, “r”, “n”, “l”, and “d”. These letters appear frequently in the game and are worth one point, which may seem low, but their abundance makes it easier to create words. Within the vowels, the most common letter in Spanish is undoubtedly the letter “e”, followed by the letter “a”. The third most common letter is also a vowel and is the letter “o”. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the letters that appear less frequently in the Spanish vocabulary are the letters “x”, “k”, and “w”. The letter “w” was the last to be added to the Spanish alphabet, only incorporated in 1969 as a loan from the English and German languages. Although it may seem strange, the most representative letter of Spanish, “ñ”, is also one of the least used letters.

Now that we’ve explored the most common letters in the Spanish language, let’s turn our attention to the most common words. This will help us understand which words we can form most easily when playing Scrabble.

Most common words

Two- and three-letter words are precious in Scrabble because they allow you to use limited spaces and connect with other words already on the board. Some of the most common two-letter words in Spanish are “un”, “la”, “el”, “en”, “es”, “al”, “lo”, “de”, “me” and “se”. These words are handy for quickly scoring points and strategically opening or blocking the board. If you don’t have many options or are already at the end of the game, using these monosyllables is always a good idea, so save this as a game strategy 😉.

Additionally, three-letter words like “una,” “los,” “con,” “del,” “las,” “par,” “por,” “más,” and “dos” are essential to mastering the game, as they allow you to score additional points by crossing over with other words or by being placed in double or triple word boxes. “Vida,” “país,” and “años” are also widespread words in Spanish that will allow you to score several points (especially the word “años”) if you manage to put them together.

Strategies based on common letters and words

An effective strategy is to try to form words with the most common letters and keep some valuable vowels and consonants in your reserve. Vowels, in particular, are crucial for connecting words, while consonants such as “s” and “r” can create plurals or verb forms extending words already played.

For example, if you have the word “casa” on the board, adding an “s” to form “casas” allows you to score points for the new word created. Also, if this extension crosses another word or is placed in a double or triple scoring box, the score can increase significantly 😃.

In short, knowing and taking advantage of Spanish’s most familiar letters and words gives you a significant advantage in Scrabble. With a good strategy, using short words and frequent letters, controlling the board and accumulating points effectively is possible, ensuring success in this challenging and fun word game. So go ahead and practice Spanish through the game and let us know how it goes! Good luck!

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our fantastic grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Improving language Writing in Spanish

Tips for writing an essay in Spanish: a brief guide to success

Feeling lost in the daunting task of writing an academic essay or a research paper? Fear not; these guidelines are here to guide you through the process, ensuring your ideas are expressed with the utmost clarity and professionalism. With these tools at your disposal, you can confidently embark on your writing journey.

You must consider the structure; writing an academic essay differs from writing an email or conversation. Even if the conversation is about the topic you will discuss in your essay, they are in different formats, and you must be clear about the formalities you must consider in an academic essay. If you follow these steps, you will be assured of a high percentage of your success:

  1. So that you know – the first thing you need to consider is what you want to achieve with your text. Before writing any text (and this advice applies to any text, whether academic or not), you should consider the audience you are addressing and the objective you seek with your writing. Remember that your objective must be realistic and feasible. For example, your objective could be to communicate your research findings or to debate two historical and antagonistic political perspectives and show your point of view concerning the current context of your country.
  2. Make a writing outline: This is key. Don’t even think about starting to write without creating a writing outline. This will not only make your writing more accessible, but it will also help you organise your ideas and the bibliography you will work with, so the quality of your work will be strengthened from the ground up. Believe me.

Now, let’s see what that outline might look like. A simple and helpful way to start is by writing a basic structure that will allow you to understand your work well. (1) Start by writing a summary of about 100 words where you explain what your essay/research is about. (2) Write the title of your essay. You can change this later, but please remember that this is the first guide for your work. (3) State your thesis. For example, if I want to talk about childhood bilingualism, my thesis could be: In the past, childhood bilingualism was believed to be detrimental to children’s development. However, it has been proven that bilingual children have a more prosperous development in language and neural connections than monolingual children. In this case, I am showing my position in favour of bilingualism, and I am also implying that I have sources of information to support it and that I will show them in developing my work. (4) Write at least 2 or 3 main points, accompany them with supporting statements and consider relevant bibliography. This section is vital since it will correspond to the body of your essay in the future. These main points must include a statement (the main idea) and at least two or three supporting points. These will be sections and subtitles in the future within your essay. Continuing with the example of bilingualism, a main point could be traditional thinking regarding bilingual children: they have disadvantages in terms of cognitive development. My supporting points would be a) bilingual children have a lower IQ than a child who only speaks one language. b) The delay in speech skills in bilingual children. To develop this topic and the two subtopics I propose, I must be guided by the bibliography I have already designated for this section. (5) Write a conclusion paragraph of at least two lines. Remember that the conclusion is often the reformulation of the thesis.

This comprises a basic outline that will make your subsequent writing easier. Having written the summary and thesis of your essay will make the introduction much more straightforward; the main points will become the sections within the development, and the two lines of reformulation of the thesis were part of the advanced work that you began when writing your conclusion. All this work already requires bibliographic research, reading and organisation, but at the same time, it will help you organise your ideas very well.

  • Don’t fill your essay with quotes. Remember that you can paraphrase. But never forget to cite your references, or you will be plagiarizing, and we never, ever want to be accused of plagiarism—at least not if you are visiting a website looking for clues to learn how to do a really good job 😉.
  • Trust your work. You’re already doing well if you’ve made it this far and followed most of these suggestions. 😊
  • Review and send! Don’t obsess over perfection; it’s the enemy of good. Above all, don’t forget to enjoy your work.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Ugh, ugh, it’s so hot! 14 summer sayings in Spanish

Proverbs come to mind because it is already summer in the northern hemisphere, along with the heat, the longer days, the holidays and the afternoons on the beach, so that vast repertoire of popular origins and unknown author sayings express a lesson moral or invite reflection. There are many Spanish proverbs on a wide range of topics, and today, we will review many of the Spanish proverbs linked to summer. Let’s see what the Spanish proverbs say about the hottest season of the year:

  1. El verano que más dura, buen invierno asegura. It is said that when summer is long, it announces an abundant winter.
  2. En julio, beber y sudar, y el fresco en balde buscar. It would be best to drink a lot of water in July and look for ways to cool off because it is the hottest time of year.
  3. Julio caliente, quema al más valiente. No matter how brave you are, you won’t be able to withstand the heat of July.
  4. Por mucho que quiera ser, en julio poco ha de llover. July is the driest month of the year.
  5. Si quieres vivir sano, madruga en verano.
  6. Verano que dura, otoño asegura.
  7. A invierno lluvioso, verano caluroso. If the winter has been freezing and there is a lot of rain, it means that the meteorological forecasts for this season have been met and that, in the same way, summer will arrive with the heat typical of the season.
  8. En julio y agosto se quema el rostro.
  9. Ramos mojados, verano mejorado. If it rains on Palm Sunday, summer weather will be nice.
  10. Una golondrina no hace verano.  A proverb that warns that a general rule or norm cannot be deduced from the confirmation of a single fact.
  11. Veraneando, se va el tiempo volando: Summer is possibly the season that goes by the fastest. One main reason is that it is the season when people usually take vacations.
  12. Abril tronado, viene buen verano: When there are many storms during April, a quiet summer is about to come.
  13. Llegadas las golondrinas, el verano encima: Swallows are looking for warmth. Therefore, the heat is approaching when they return from migration, and summer is upon us.
  14. Frío en invierno, calor en verano, esto es lo sano.

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Are you going on a trip? Ways to start a Spanish conversation on the plane

You are sitting on a plane, travelling alone. Maybe you are afraid of flying and can’t stop thinking about it, or perhaps you are thinking about everything you must do once you arrive at your destination. Either way, you are not alone, although you travel alone. And you know it.

Although you may only sometimes feel like chatting with a stranger, striking up a casual conversation with people you would probably never meet can be tremendously rewarding. In fact, a study by the University of Chicago Business School of Chicago subway passengers showed that those who chat with strangers on their way to work have a much more positive attitude than those who travel alone.

As you settle into your seat, please feel free to connect with your surroundings. A friendly glance towards your seatmates can be the first step towards a meaningful conversation, and what better way to do it if you decide to make it a Spanish conversation:

Hola, ¿tú también viajas solo/sola? (Hi, do you also travel alone?) This simple question can start a new connection, a chance to meet someone exciting and share your travel experiences. Your seatmate might have unique stories to tell or be on a journey with a fascinating purpose. If they’re from your destination, you could ask for their recommendations. You might be surprised at how much you can gain from a simple question.

Try to find things in common; you could ask, for example, ¿te gusta volar? (do you like to fly?) This gives rise to quickly knowing if there is something in common or being able to share anecdotes about the activity that has them coinciding in that same place. Perhaps the other person responds that they prefer different types of transportation, and the conversation moves there. If she says she loves to fly, the next question is undoubtedly ¿qué lugares/países conoces? (what places/countries does she/he know?)

Focus on what you know about your travel companion. You know, without a doubt, that they are travelling, so don’t think twice and ask her about her trip. ¿vas de regreso a casa? (¿Are you going back home?) ¿vuelas por trabajo o vacaciones? (Are you flying for work or vacation?) If he travels for work, ask him a qué se dedica (what he does). If you are returning home from a vacation, could you say ¿qué fue lo que más disfrutaste de tus vacaciones? (what did you enjoy most about your holiday?)

Breaking the ice is usually the most difficult part, but if there is spirit and availability, it can be a nice moment for both of you. If this is not the case, you will have dared to practice a Spanish conversation. Have a nice trip!

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Tongue twisters in Spanish: practise your pronunciation

Tongue twisters are short, fun texts that can be repeated over and over again to improve the pronunciation of words or unions of words that are more difficult. The beauty of tongue twisters is that they are phrases made up of words with similar sounds, which, when put together, are difficult to pronounce fluently, both for native speakers and for those who are not. For this reason, they represent an articulatory challenge for everyone. The challenge is to pronounce them quickly without making any mistakes.

Tongue twisters are usually word games that combine similar phonemes (minimum sound units) frequently enough to create rhymes. They constitute a type of popular literature of an oral nature present in many languages.

Origin of tongue twisters

The origin of tongue twisters is unclear, but some studies place them in Ancient Greece, where the wise men began to use riddles, paradoxes and word games for educational purposes. Greek culture admired the level of knowledge and skill in reading. Therefore, those who managed to pronounce tongue twisters well should dedicate themselves to oratory or intellectual work versus those who should commit themselves to physical work.

Since those who pronounced words correctly were admired for their knowledge and good reading, tongue twisters were an excellent way to learn and develop the mind.

The benefit of tongue twisters

1. They promote reading fluency: The faster you learn to recite them, the greater your fluency when speaking and reading. In addition, it promotes reading fluency and improves reading speed and pauses.

2. Improves vocalisation: Saying a tongue twister forces you to try to properly vocalise each phoneme and letter (especially those which usually show problems, such as ‘r’) in a fun way. It is like speech therapy but in a relaxed environment.

3. They increase vocabulary: Practising words you do not know that are similar to others you already know makes remembering them easier and using them later.

Now that you know more about tongue twisters, let’s see how good you are!

  • “Tres tristes tigres trigo comían en un trigal”
  • “Cuando cuentes cuentos

cuenta cuantos cuentos cuentas,

porque si no cuentas

cuántos cuentos cuentas

nunca sabrás cuántos cuentos sabes contar”.

  • “El rey de Constantinopla

se quiere descontantinopolizar

     aquel lo descontantinopolice

    buen descontantinopolizador será”.

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The 40 Most Commonly Used Adjectives In Spanish

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Guía De Los 40 Adjetivos Más Usados en Español | iScribo

Adjectives are words that express the quality of a noun. Spanish adjectives are essential in Spanish grammar to describe objects, people, feelings and sensations.

Bear in mind that the most common adjectives in Spanish are, as a rule, variable words. By this we mean that they agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. They are often accompanied by other words of a different grammatical category, such as adverbs.

Do you need to expand your vocabulary to express yourself better and more fluently? iScribo shows you today which are the most commonly used Spanish adjectives, both informal and formal, with examples so that you can go beyond the borders of the language.

List Of Common Spanish Informal Adjectives

These types of adjectives are the ones we use the most on a daily basis and they are also the easiest to learn when you are a beginner. The description of simple, everyday objects is always accompanied by these adjectives:

1. Bueno/a (good): Este plato está muy bueno (This dish is very good.)

2. Pequeño/a (small, little): La niña pequeña se cayó en el parque (The little girl fell in the park.)

3. Grande (big):El barco grande ha naufragado esta mañana (The big ship has sank this morning.)

4. Bonito/a (beautiful, pretty): Encontrarás la casa bonita al final del parque (You will find the pretty house at the end of the park.)

5. Feo/a (ugly): No debes decirle a la gente si es fea o guapa (You shouldn’t tell people whether they are ugly or pretty.)

6. Nuevo/a (new): La televisión nueva nos está dando problemas (The new TV is giving us problems.)

7. Malo/a (bad):Este ventilador nos ha salido malo (This fan has turned out badly.)

8. Aburrido/a (boring): El libro que me he comprado no es para nada aburrido (The book I bought is not at all boring.)

9. Feliz (happy): Se está criando en un entorno feliz (They are growing up in a happy environment.)

10. Triste (sad): Se ve a leguas que ese chico está triste (You can tell that this boy is sad.)

11. Importante (important): Encontrar tu propósito en la vida es muy importante (Finding your purpose in life is very important.)

12. Lento/a (slow): La trama de esta obra de teatro es lenta, no avanza (The plot of this play is slow, it doesn’t move forward.)

13. Alto/a (tal): El niño alto es la estrella del equipo de baloncesto (The tall boy is the star of the basketball team.)

14. Bajo/a (short): No importa que seas baja, te harás un hueco en el equipo de balonmano (It doesn’t matter that you’re short, you’ll make the handball team.)

15. Cansado/a (tired): No admito que estés cansado como excusa. (I won’t admit that you’re tired as an excuse.)

16. Simpático/a (nice):Una persona simpática tiene cabida en cualquier lugar (A nice person has a place anywhere.)

17. Antipático/a (unpleasant, nasty): Ha resultado ser una persona antipática (They have turned out to be an unpleasant person.)

18. Viejo/a (old): El atril viejo no servirá para el discurso (The old lectern won’t do for the speech.)

19. Difícil (difficult): Nos han puesto un examen difícil (They gave us a difficult test.)

20. Frío/a (cold):Esta casa es fría, necesita calefacción (This house is cold; it needs heating.)

Most Common Formal Adjectives

There are situations in which we need to express ourselves in more formal contexts, or we simply like to use more sophisticated words. Here is a list of the most commonly used formal adjectives.

21. Eficaz (effective):El quitamanchas es eficaz en todos los tejidos (The stain remover is effective on all fabrics.)

22. Notable (remarkable):El calor latente es más que notable (The latent heat is more than remarkable.)

23. Destacado/a (outstanding):El estudiante fue el más destacado en su categoría (The student was the most outstanding in their category.)

24. Significativo/a (significant): No hay cambios significativos en el temario (There are no significant changes in the syllabus.)

25. Ilustre (illustrious): Fue ilustre su presencia en la conferencia (the student’s presence at the conference was illustrious.)

26. Épico/a (epic):Una noche épica sin lugar a duda (An epic night indeed.)

27. Reflexivo/a (reflective):Una persona reflexiva tiene más probabilidad de éxito (A reflective person is more likely to succeed.)

28. Cordial (cordial):Fue el más cordial oponente al que me enfrenté (He was the most cordial opponent I have ever faced.)

29. Consistente (consistent): La textura consistente de la salsa fue la clave del plato (The consistent texture of the sauce was the key to the dish.)

30. Sagaz (sagacious):Su actitud sagaz le dio la victoria (His sagacious attitude gave him victory.)

31. Pulcro/a (neat):No me importaría tener un animal pulcro (I wouldn’t mind having a neat pet.)

32. Grato/a (pleasant):Su presencia grata me alegró la jornada (Their pleasant presence made my day.)

33. Intachable (impeccable):Los visitantes manifestaron un comportamiento intachable (The visitors showed impeccable behaviour.)

34. Imparcial (impartial):En estas competiciones, se nota que los árbitros son imparciales (In these competitions, you can tell that the referees are impartial.)

35. Respetable (respectable):Tus ideas políticas son respetables, mas no las comparto (Your political ideas are respectable, but I don’t share them.)

36. Preciso/a (accurate):En tu trabajo has de ser precisa (In your work, you must be accurate.)

37. Reservado/a (reserved):Se trata de una persona de carácter reservado (This is a person with a reserved character.)

38. Disciplinado/a(disciplined):Los jóvenes del instituto son disciplinados (The young people at school are disciplined.)

39. Convincente (convincing):No me parece un argumento convincente (I don’t find this argument convincing.)

40. Versátil (versatile): Las bolsas reciclables tienen propiedades versátiles (Recyclable bags have versatile properties.)

iScribo & Grammar

Adjectives deserve special consideration because of their importance in language. Here we have basically dealt with some aspects regarding their understanding. In terms of usage, adjectives have different functions depending on their context. For example, to emphasise the action or highlight the value of the noun they modify, you can put the adjective before the noun. iScribo corrects the use of written Spanish in real time. If you have doubts about how to write a sentence, use our spelling and grammar checker. Find out how to use this powerful tool and how to get the most out of it here.

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