Adjectives in Brazilian Portuguese are usually placed after the noun they describe. For example:
However, there are a few types of adjectives in Brazilian Portuguese that must appear before the noun. Also, in a few other cases, there are adjectives that can appear before or after the noun, either as a stylistic choice or to change the meaning. Are you curious to learn more? Keep reading!
What are the basic grammar rules for adjectives in Brazilian Portuguese?
Most “classic” adjectives appear after the noun in Brazilian Portuguese and agree with the noun in gender and number.
In general, this placement rule applies to descriptive adjectives (adjectives that give a specific or restrictive quality).
❌ a vermelha maçã
Below are some examples the more general kinds of descriptive adjectives:
Colors
a banana amarelaTranslation: the yellow bananaDimensions/directions
o homem baixoTranslation: the short manShapes/forms
o bolo redondoTranslation: the round cakeMaterials*
a sacola plásticaTranslation: the plastic bagTexture
o chão molhadoTranslation: the wet floorStates/conditions
o caderno rasgadoTranslation: the torn notebookSources
a água mineralTranslation: the spring waterNationalities
o homem brasileiroTranslation: the Brazilian manIdeologies
os estudos budistasTranslation: the Buddhist studies
However, adjectives that are not descriptive adjectives may follow different placement rules. Let’s look at some adjectives that must go before the adjective.
Which types of adjectives must go before the noun?
In Brazilian Portuguese, there are also a few types of adjectives that must be placed before the nouns they modify: demonstrative adjectives, superlative adjectives, quantifiers, cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers. Two other kinds of adjectives, indefinite and possessive adjectives, also usually come before the noun, but there are some cases where they may follow it.
For example:
❌ dia este
Let’s review each of these kinds of adjectives, along with an example:
Demonstrative adjectives → words like “this” or “that”
este computadorTranslation: this computerSuperlative adjectives → words like “cleanest” or “least impressive”
o melhor computadorTranslation: the best computerQuantifiers → words that give a general quantity, like “many” or “a few”
poucos computadoresTranslation: some computersCardinal Numbers → counting numbers, like “six” or “three hundred”
dois computadoresTranslation: two computersOrdinals → ordering numbers, like “fifth” or “first”
o segundo computadorTranslation: the second computer
In the next section, you’ll see that indefinite adjectives and possessive adjectives are also commonly placed before the noun, with some exceptions.
Where to put indefinite and possessive adjectives in a sentence?
Most of the time, possessive adjectives, like nosso meaning our, and indefinite adjectives, like muito meaning lots of are placed before the noun; however, they can sometimes be placed after the noun for emphasis.
Here’s an example of the contrast in a complete sentence:
- Não tenho nenhum computador.Translation: I don't have any computer.common
- Não tenho computador nenhum.Translation: I really don't have any computer.emphasis
When can descriptive adjectives come before the noun?
Though descriptive adjectives in Brazilian Portuguese usually follow the noun they describe, there are a few cases where they may come before the noun instead. This change in position can signify a difference in literal meaning, a difference between a subjective vs. objective description, or a difference in emphasis.
Let’s look at some examples!
To signal a difference in literal meaning
The placement of some adjectives (before or after the noun) can signify a difference in literal meaning. In this case you may translate the adjective with a different word depending on whether it comes before or after the noun. For example:
For more examples of adjectives whose meaning changes based on placement, check out our list!
To signal difference in style and subjectivity
Sometimes, descriptive adjectives can be used before the noun as a way to clarify that you are describing someone’s subjective or personal experience of a noun, and not its inherent qualities. This position can sound a bit poetic in style. For example:
Here’s another example:
To provide emphasis
Some adjectives are placed before the noun in order to describe and emphasize it in the sentence.
This change in position commonly occurs with adjectives like longo/curto meaning long/short, bonito meaning beautiful, triste meaning sad, rápido meaning fast, forte meaning strong, maravilhoso meaning wonderful, and others.
Remember that, above, we also saw that indefinite and possessive adjectives follow the opposite pattern! They usually come before the noun, but can come after the noun for emphasis.
In summary
Let’s review what we’ve learned about placing adjectives in sentences in Brazilian Portuguese:
Most Brazilian Portuguese adjectives are placed after the noun. However, there are some exceptions to this general rule:
Demonstratives, superlatives, quantifiers, cardinal numbers, and ordinal numbers, are always placed before the noun.
Possessives and indefinites adjectives usually appear before the noun. However, it’s possible to place them after the noun for stylistic purposes.
Some adjectives that usually come after the noun can be used before the noun to signal:
A difference in literal meaning
That a description is subjective rather than objective (a bit poetic)
Emphasis
Ready to check what you learned? Go to this activity and practice adjective order in Brazilian Portuguese.
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