Describing

Ready frames for describing people, things, looks and clothes.

Noun + adjective

A1noun + adjective (agreeing)

In Spanish the adjective usually goes AFTER the noun and agrees with it in gender and number: „gato negro”, „casa bonita”, „coches rojos”. At A1, take „noun + adjective” — right 95% of the time.

Examples

un perro bonito
/um ˈpe.ro βoˈni.to/
PLładny piesENa cute dog
un gato negro
/uŋ ˈɡa.to ˈne.ɣɾo/
PLczarny kotENa black cat
una casa grande
/ˈu.na ˈka.sa ˈɣɾan.de/
PLduży domENa big house
un coche rojo
/uŋ ˈko.tʃe ˈro.xo/
PLczerwony samochódENa red car

Common mistake

un negro gatoun gato negro

The adjective usually goes AFTER the noun: „gato negro”, not „negro gato” — the opposite of English.

What someone/something is like

A1ser + adjective

Lasting traits — character, general looks, size — use „ser” + adjective: „soy simpática”, „es amable”, „la casa es grande”. (A temporary state uses „estar” — see „Być”.)

Examples

Soy simpática.
/soj simˈpa.ti.ka/
PLJestem sympatyczna.ENI'm nice.
Es muy amable.
/es muj aˈma.βle/
PLJest bardzo miły.ENHe/she is very kind.
La casa es grande.
/la ˈka.sa es ˈɣɾan.de/
PLDom jest duży.ENThe house is big.

Common mistake

Estoy simpática.Soy simpática.

A character trait uses „ser”, not „estar”: „soy simpática”. Keep „estoy” for a passing state.

Appearance (hair, eyes…)

A1tener + noun (appearance trait)

Looks — hair, eyes, a beard, glasses — use „tener” („to have”), not „to be”: „tiene el pelo rubio” (lit. „has blond hair”). With body parts Spanish adds the article: „el pelo”, „los ojos”.

Examples

Tengo el pelo rubio.
/ˈteŋ.ɡo el ˈpe.lo ˈru.βjo/
PLMam blond włosy.ENI have blond hair.
Tiene los ojos verdes.
/ˈtje.ne los ˈo.xos ˈβeɾ.ðes/
PLMa zielone oczy.ENHe/she has green eyes.
Tiene barba.
/ˈtje.ne ˈβaɾ.βa/
PLMa brodę.ENHe/she has a beard.
Tiene gafas.
/ˈtje.ne ˈɣa.fas/
PLNosi okulary.ENHe/she wears glasses.

Common mistake

Tengo pelo rubio.Tengo el pelo rubio.

For looks and body parts Spanish keeps the article: „tengo EL pelo rubio”, „tiene LOS ojos verdes”.

Clothing

A1llevar + ubranie

What someone's wearing uses „llevar”: „lleva un vestido”, „lleva una camisa blanca”. The colour agrees with the garment: „zapatos negros”.

Examples

Lleva un vestido.
/ˈʝe.βa um besˈti.ðo/
PLMa na sobie sukienkę.ENHe/she is wearing a dress.
Lleva una camisa blanca.
/ˈʝe.βa ˈu.na kaˈmi.sa ˈβlaŋ.ka/
PLMa na sobie białą koszulę.ENHe/she is wearing a white shirt.
Lleva zapatos negros.
/ˈʝe.βa θaˈpa.tos ˈne.ɣɾos/
PLMa na sobie czarne buty.ENHe/she is wearing black shoes.

Now you

Now you.

First learn it. Then use it right away.

Tengo pelo rubio.

(article with appearance)

I have blond hair.