# 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).