# 08. Descriptive Adjectives

> Source: [A Complete Guide To Every Fundamental In Spanish](https://youtube.com/watch?v=YHDZSHCt1DE&t=1948s)

Descriptive adjectives in Spanish describe a person or thing physically or by condition. Unlike English, Spanish adjectives must agree with the noun in gender and number, and they normally come *after* the noun.

## Key Rules
- Adjectives ending in **-o** are masculine; **-a** are feminine; some end in **-e** or a consonant and are neutral (use the same form for both genders).
- Add **-s** (or **-es** after a consonant) to pluralize: `fácil → fáciles`, `feo → feos`.
- Adjectives normally come **after** the noun: `el chico inteligente`, *not* `el inteligente chico`.
- Use **ser** for permanent/factual traits (alto, bonito, inteligente).
- Use **estar** for temporary states/conditions (cansado, triste, enfermo, relajado).

## Common Descriptive Adjectives

### With ser (factual / inherent)
| Adjective | Meaning |
|-----------|---------|
| alto/a(s) | tall |
| bajo/a(s) | short |
| bonito/a(s) | beautiful |
| feo/a(s) | ugly |
| fácil / fáciles | easy |
| difícil / difíciles | difficult |
| importante(s) | important |
| inteligente(s) | intelligent / smart |

### With estar (condition / emotion)
| Adjective | Meaning |
|-----------|---------|
| aburrido/a(s) | bored |
| cansado/a(s) | tired |
| enfermo/a(s) | sick |
| listo/a(s) | ready |
| seguro/a(s) | sure |
| preparado/a(s) | prepared |
| relajado/a(s) | relaxed |
| triste(s) | sad |

## Examples
| Spanish | English |
|---------|---------|
| Yo soy alto y bonito. | I am tall and handsome. (m) |
| Yo soy alta y bonita. | I am tall and beautiful. (f) |
| Ellos son feos. | They are ugly. (m) |
| Estas clases son fáciles. | These classes are easy. |
| Nosotros somos inteligentes. | We are intelligent. |
| El chico es inteligente. | The boy is smart. |
| El chico inteligente. | The smart boy. |
| Este video importante. | This important video. |
| La lección difícil. | The difficult lesson. |
| Yo soy bajo. | I am short. (factual trait → ser) |
| Yo estoy cansado. | I am tired. (changing condition → estar) |
| La chica hermosa / La chica es hermosa. | The beautiful girl / The girl is beautiful. |
| El hombre relajado / El hombre está relajado. | The relaxed man / The man is relaxed. |
| Él es inteligente. | He is smart. |
| Nosotros estamos tristes. | We are sad. |

## Notes & Gotchas
- Word order is the #1 mistake for English speakers — adjective goes **after** the noun.
- Some adjectives change meaning depending on ser vs estar (e.g., `ser listo` = clever; `estar listo` = ready).
- Neutral-ending adjectives (-e, consonant) don't change for gender, but still pluralize.
- Always make number/gender agree across the *whole* phrase: `nosotros estamos tristes` (plural subject → plural adjective).
