Adjectives (e.g.: bom, grande, pequeno, inteligente, excelente, etc.)

Questions about Adjectives

Q: Why is it uma flor bonita and NOT uma flor bonito?
Adjectives must agree in gender with the noun:

• flor (feminine) → bonita

• not bonito

Q: Why is it uma grande ideia and NOT uma gran ideia?
In Portuguese, grande does not shorten before the noun:

• uma grande ideia

• not gran (this is Spanish)

👉 The form stays the same for masculine and feminine.

Q: Why is it um livro interessante and NOT um interessante livro?
Most adjectives come after the noun in Portuguese:

• um livro interessante

👉 Placing the adjective before the noun is possible, but:

• more formal or expressive

• less neutral

Q: Why is it os carros brancos and NOT os carros branco?
Adjectives must agree in number:

• carros (plural) → brancos

• not branco

👉 Determiner + noun + adjective must all match.

Q: Why is it um homem oportunista and NOT um homem oportunisto?
Adjectives ending in -ista:

👉 have the same form for masculine and feminine

• um homem oportunista

• uma mulher oportunista

🔑 Key points

• Agreement = gender + number

• No Spanish-style shortening (gran)

• Default position = after the noun

• -ista adjectives are invariable for gender