Grammar explained
Describing a noun
An adjective describes a noun and agrees with it in gender and number. Unlike English adjectives, Italian adjectives usually change their endings. Agreement follows the Italian noun.
Grammar explained
Two main patterns
Adjectives ending in -o have four forms: nuovo, nuova, nuovi, nuove.
Adjectives ending in -e have two main forms: grande (singular, either gender), grandi (plural, either gender).
Example
un libro nuovo
Show translation
a new book
Example
una casa nuova
Show translation
a new house
Example
due case nuove
Show translation
two new houses
Example
due libri interessanti
Show translation
two interesting books
Grammar explained
Before or after the noun?
As a starting point, place descriptive adjectives after the noun. Nationality adjectives usually follow it: un amico italiano. Some descriptive adjectives can precede the noun, sometimes changing the meaning or emphasis.
Example
un amico italiano
Show translation
an Italian friend
Grammar explained
Position can change meaning
Un vecchio amico usually means a long-standing friend. Un amico vecchio means a friend who is old in age. Do not move every adjective freely; learn these distinctions in phrases.
Example
un vecchio amico
Show translation
a long-standing friend
Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice
Lesson highlights
Remember
Make the adjective agree with the Italian noun: nuovo/nuova/nuovi/nuove; grande/grandi. Its position can sometimes change the meaning.