In Spanish, as in English, a suffix can be added to a word or root to create a new one. The result is a word with a different meaning that is often closely related. There are several suffixes used in Spanish. However, in this article, we’ll review three of them that are used to turn verbs into adjectives in Spanish.
How to Turn Verbs into Adjectives in Spanish
In this article, we will review how to turn verbs into adjectives in Spanish. Look at these sets of words and notice how to use the suffixes –
Suffix –able
You can turn verbs into adjectives in Spanish by adding the suffix –
| ajustar | ajustable |
| admirar | admirable |
| reciclar | reciclable |
| agradar | agradable |
El casco de la bici es ajustable a diferentes tamaños y edades.
The bike helmet is adjustable to different sizes and ages.
La paciencia de mi padre con mi hermano es admirable.
My father’s patience with my brother is admirable.
Es importante usar envases reciclables para cuidar el planeta.
It is important to use recyclable containers to protect the planet.
Jimena es muy activa y agradable. Su hermano Lucas es simpático.
Jimena is very active and pleasant. Her brother Lucas is very nice.
Suffix –ado / –ido
You can turn verbs into adjectives in Spanish by adding the suffix –
| cansar | cansado |
| estresar | estresado |
| alejar | alejado |
| desordenar | desordenado |
Ir todos los días a estudiar y a trabajar es muy cansado.
Working and studying every day is very tiring.
Mi hermano Luis está muy estresado por culpa de los exámenes.
My brother Luis is very stressed because of the exams.
La universidad donde va a estudiar mi prima Elisa está muy alejada.
The university where my cousin Elisa will study is very remote.
La casa estaba muy desordenada justo cuando llegaron mis padres.
The house was very untidy right when my parents arrived.
You can also turn verbs into adjectives in Spanish by adding –
| aburrir | aburrido |
| divertir | divertido |
| conocer | conocido |
| encender | encendido |
Yo estoy muy aburrida y no salgo porque llueve.
I’m very bored, and I don’t go out because it’s raining.
Los viernes son divertidos en esta ciudad, ¿no es así?
Fridays are fun in this city, aren’t they?
La niña llegó a ser una bailarina de ballet muy conocida.
The girl became a well-known ballerina.
Se debe permitir el paso a las ambulancias con la sirena encendida.
You must yield to ambulances with their sirens on.
Suffix –dor
You can also use the suffix –
| innovar | innovador |
| hablar | hablador |
| acoger | acogedor |
| trabajar | trabajador |
El negocio tuvo éxito porque era muy innovador.
The business was successful because it was very innovative.
Alberto es más hablador que su hermana Rebeca.
Alberto is chattier than his sister Rebeca.
El piso que se acaban de comprar tus amigos es muy acogedor.
The flat your friends have just bought is very cozy.
Julia no es muy trabajadora. No creo que ella alcance sus metas fácilmente.
Julia isn’t very hardworking. I doubt she reaches her goals easily.
Exercises
Let’s do some exercises to practice some of these Spanish adjectives.