Apocopation of Adjectives

In Spanish, some adjectives change due to a process called apocopation. In this article, you will learn which adjectives these are and how to use them properly. Although it might sound intimidating, this is actually a very simple process. Let's begin!

What is Apocopation?

Rule 1. To apocopate means to suppress some sound at the end of the word. This phenomenon affects many Spanish words, but we'll focus on adjectives in this article.

How to Apocopate?

Rule 2. In Spanish, apocopation occurs (in the majority of cases) because there is a masculine noun in front of an adjective. This causes the adjective to drop the last letter or letters, depending on the word they are followed by. This change is grammatical and therefore not optional.

For example, the adjective

primero changes to primer when it is followed by a masculine noun.

What Adjectives are Apocopated in Spanish?

Rule 3. Here is the list of adjectives that lose the last vowel or more letters when followed by a singular masculine noun. You have probably seen these adjectives before, since they are very commonly used.

*Notice the accent mark that ninguno and alguno carry in their apocopated form.

The Adjective Grande

Rule 4. In contrast with the previous adjectives, grande is apocopated when it comes before a masculine or feminine singular noun, provided that it means that someone or something is remarkable.

Notice how the meaning changes with the adjective grande.