¿Gran or grande? Adjectives that change before a noun

Some adjectives change when they are placed before a noun.

Un contable malo un mal contable.

A bad accountant.

Grande (big, large; great) changes to gran, and cualquiera (any) to cualquier in front of masculine or feminine nouns.

Un gran hombre, una gran mujer.

A great man, a great woman.

Cualquier mujer, cualquier hombre.

Any man, any woman.

Bueno (good), malo (bad), alguno (some; any), ninguno (no, none), primero (first) and tercero (third) lose their o before masculine nouns.

Una buena amiga Un buen amigo.

A good (female) friend → A good (male) friend.

La tercera puerta → El tercer piso.

The third door The third floor.

Notes

  • Ningún and algún also acquire an accent.

Alguna mujer Algún hombre.

Some/Any woman →Some/Any man.

Ninguna casa → Ningún coche.

No/Not one house No/Not one car.

 

  • Bueno, malo and grande generally change meaning depending on whether they go before or after the noun.

Una gran persona (una persona con grandes cualidades). 

A great person (possessing great qualities).

Una persona grande (una persona alta y corpulenta).

A large person (tall, heavily built).


Still facing difficulties with '¿Gran or grande? Adjectives that change before a noun'? Learn and enhance your Spanish grammar through our online Spanish course. Start with a free test and improve today!

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online Spanish lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my Spanish. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Improve your Spanish further and test Hotel Borbollón, online Spanish lessons.