Cyber Spanish - Module 3 - Numeral Adjectives

Numeral Adjectives

Class Activity 303a

There is group of adjectives that we use in everyday conversation and we don't even think about their existence. These are:

Indefinite and Numeral Adjectives

a) Adjetivo Indefinido. The indefinite adjective describes a noun vaguely and places a limit on that noun. Here, are some examples of indefinite adjectives in Spanish.

cualquier libro
cierto libro
otro libro
ningún libro

b) Adjetivos Numerales. The numeral adjective is placed before the noun and provides an idea of its number. These are: cardinales, ordinales, partitivos or multiplos (cardinal, ordinal, partitive or multiple).

i) Cardinal. This numeral adjective expresses the number of its noun. For example:

un auto
dos casas
tres árboles
cuatro puertas

ii) Ordinal. This numeral adjective places an order on its nouns. For example:

primer piso
segundo piso
tercer piso
cuarto piso
quinto piso
séptimo piso

iii) Partitivo. This numeral adjective indicates the number of parts in which a whole object is divided. The position in the sentence can come before a noun or between a noun and other modifiers.

media manzana
un cuarto de onza
un octavo de kilo
la mitad de la torta

iv) Multiplo. This numeral adjective expresses how many times a quantity can contain in its unity.

doble cantidad
triple cantidad
doble peso
triple peso

Complete the sentences below with the appropriate indefinite or numeral adjectives.

Ejemplos:

1. Yo compré dos camisas.
2. Déme medio kilo.
3. Déme doble cantidad, por favor.
4. Yo caminé cinco kilometros.
5. El se comió un cuarto de torta.
6. Yo tengo algunas dudas.
7. Tu no tienes niguna obligación.

1. I bought two shirts.
2. Give me half a kilo.
3. Give me a double quantity, please.
4. I walked five kilometers.
5. He ate a quarter of cake.
6. I have certain doubts.
7.You don't have any obligation.

Adjective can form an adverb by adding the adverbial suffix mente (ly).

.................. Adjetivo	...................... Adverbio
Pago mensual. Salida diaria. Un hombre responsable. Una niña tranquila. Unos jugadores veloces.	Pagar mensualmente. Salen diariamente. El trabajaba responsablemente. Ella caminaba tranquilamente. Ellos corrían velozmente.

It is important to recognise adjectives and adverbs. The adjective follow the noun and the adverb follow the verb.

You are doing very well !

Last Updated: October, 2001