A1
Quiero la camiseta roja.
Rewrite the whole sentence without the noun.
Quiero la roja.
01 · Start with English
The red one / a red one
Avoid repeating a noun that both people understand.
Both people must know what kind of thing we are talking about.
Here, we are talking about T-shirts: camisetas.
Here, we are talking about T-shirts: camisetas.
English
red T-shirt
black T-shirt
I want the red T-shirt.
I want a red T-shirt.
Spanish
We can do something similar in Spanish.
Quiero la camiseta roja.
Quiero una camiseta roja.
Click to compare the shorter forms.
In Spanish, we do not add another word after the adjective for English one / ones.
| ENGLISH | SPANISH · TALKING ABOUT CAMISETAS |
|---|---|
| the red one | la roja |
| a red one | una roja |
| the red ones | las rojas |
| some red ones | unas rojas |
02 · Meaning
Which particular one?
The noun is understood in both cases. The article changes the meaning.
Both people are talking about T-shirts.
Definite · the
el · la · los · las
the red T-shirt
the black T-shirt
You see a red T-shirt and a black T-shirt. You choose the red one.
Quiero la roja.
I want the red one.
The other person can identify which particular item you mean.
Indefinite · a / some
uno · una · unos · unas
a red T-shirt
another red T-shirt
another red T-shirt
The shop has many T-shirts. You want a red one, but you have not chosen a particular one.
Quiero una roja.
I want a red one.
You do not expect the other person to identify a particular item yet.
More than one
Quiero las rojas.
I want the red ones.
The other person can identify which T-shirts.
Quiero unas rojas.
I want some red ones.
You are asking for some red T-shirts, without identifying a particular group.
03 · Gender and number
The noun disappears. Agreement stays.
The remaining forms must agree with the noun we leave out.
The noun is not there, but its gender and number still matter.
Blue words stay. Watch un → uno.
| NOUN WE MEAN | DEFINITE | INDEFINITE |
|---|---|---|
| jerseymasculine singular | el jersey rojo | un jersey rojo |
| camisetafeminine singular | la camiseta roja | una camiseta roja |
| zapatosmasculine plural | los zapatos rojos | unos zapatos rojos |
| sandaliasfeminine plural | las sandalias rojas | unas sandalias rojas |
One form to remember: un → uno
un jersey rojo → uno rojo
Before a masculine singular noun, use un. When that noun is left out in this pattern, use uno.
Here, uno stands in for the masculine singular noun.
Many adjectives have four forms
| MASC. SINGULAR | FEM. SINGULAR | MASC. PLURAL | FEM. PLURAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| rojo | roja | rojos | rojas |
| negro | negra | negros | negras |
| pequeño | pequeña | pequeños | pequeñas |
04 · A final reminder
Some adjectives share one gender form
Not all adjectives change like rojo / roja.
Azul, verde and grande have the same form for masculine and feminine nouns. Their form changes only for number.
| SINGULAR · BOTH GENDERS | PLURAL · BOTH GENDERS | MEANING |
|---|---|---|
| azul | azules | blue |
| verde | verdes | green |
| grande | grandes | big |
| elegante | elegantes | elegant |
| interesante | interesantes | interesting |
Compare red and blue
| NOUN | RED | BLUE |
|---|---|---|
| jersey | el rojo | el azul |
| camiseta | la roja | la azul |
| zapatos | los rojos | los azules |
| sandalias | las rojas | las azules |
The article still shows gender and number.
The same rule with indefinite forms
un jersey azul → uno azul
una camiseta azul → una azul
unos zapatos azules → unos azules
unas sandalias azules → unas azules
We are looking at T-shirts.
La camiseta azul es muy pequeña.
The blue T-shirt is very small.
La and pequeña are feminine singular. Azul has the same form for both genders.
05 · Practice
Say it, then check
In every task, both people know what kind of items they are talking about.
Leave out the noun
Keep the original meaning. Change un to uno when needed.
A2
Quiero un jersey negro.
Rewrite the whole sentence without the noun.
Quiero uno negro.
A3
Los zapatos rojos son bonitos.
Rewrite the whole sentence without the noun.
Los rojos son bonitos.
A4
Quiero unas maletas pequeñas.
Rewrite the whole sentence without the noun.
Quiero unas pequeñas.
Keep agreement
Use the noun and English meaning to choose the right forms.
B1
camiseta · “the black one”
Write only the short Spanish phrase.
la negra
B2
jersey · “a green one”
Write only the short Spanish phrase.
uno verde
B3
zapatos · “the blue ones”
Write only the short Spanish phrase.
los azules
B4
maletas · “some big ones”
Write only the short Spanish phrase.
unas grandes
Use the context
Decide whether the listener can identify a particular item.
C1
You are both looking at T-shirts. You point to the red T-shirt you have chosen.
Say: “I want the red one.”
Quiero la roja.
C2
The assistant knows you want a T-shirt. You want a red one, but have not chosen a particular one.
Say: “I want a red one.”
Quiero una roja.
C3
You are both looking at jumpers. You point to the black jumper you want.
Say: “I want the black one.”
Quiero el negro.
C4
The assistant knows you want a jumper. You want a black one, but have not chosen a particular one.
Say: “I want a black one.”
Quiero uno negro.
06 · Speak
Choose an item. Leave out the noun.
Both people can see the same items. Choose one and say what you want.
You are both looking at T-shirts.
Your sentence
Quiero ….
Choose an item. Say your sentence before showing the model.
Extra: “these red ones”
These is a demonstrative, not an article. It can be used in a similar way.
Talking about T-shirts:
Quiero estas rojas.
I want these red ones.
Talking about jumpers:
Quiero estos rojos.
I want these red ones.
Remember: the noun must be understood. Choose the meaning, then keep the right gender and number.