DIV: Gramática Lesson - Using Adjectives as Nouns

Using Adjectives as Nouns

Did you know that adjectives can be used as nouns? Watch this video. As always, be prepared to take notes and press pause when needed.

As we learned in the video lesson, in Spanish, almost any adjective can be used as a noun. Most of the time these nouns will be translated into English as the ____ one, where the blank is an adjective in English. For example: I'll take the red one.

  • ¿Te gusta la falda verde o la falda negra? -Me gusta la negra.
  • Do you like the green skirt or the black skirt? -I like the black one.

Forming Nouns with Adjectives

To use an adjective as a noun, you simply add an article. The article must match the noun it refers to in  gender and number.

Using Adjectives as Nouns
Original Adjective Singular, Masculine Singular, Feminine Plural, Masculine Plural, Feminine
rojo (red)
nuevo (new)
barato (cheap)		 el rojo
el nuevo
el barato		 la roja
la nueva
la barata		 los rojos
los nuevos
los baratos		 las rojas
las nuevas
las baratas

Example:

  • Me gusta el vestido azul, pero el rojo es más barato.
  • I like the blue dress, but the red one is cheaper.

Since the noun vestido is masculine and singular, rojo is also masculine and singular.

Practice Activity

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