Adjectives before and after nouns

In brief

In Brazilian Portuguese, adjectives usually come after the noun: uma casa bonita (a beautiful house). Some familiar adjectives also appear before the noun, and their position can change the meaning. Um velho amigo is a longtime friend; um amigo velho is a friend who is old.

Form

Usual pattern: noun + adjective. With certain adjectives: adjective + noun can express a different meaning.

Usage

• Put most descriptive adjectives after the noun, especially when describing what someone or something is like.
• Place velho before a noun for a longstanding connection; put it after the noun when referring to age.
• Common phrases such as um bom professor place the adjective before the noun.

Examples

• Ela comprou uma casa bonita. — She bought a beautiful house.
• Tenho um velho amigo em Recife. — I have a longtime friend in Recife.
• Meu vizinho é um homem velho. — My neighbor is an old man.
• Ele é um bom professor. — He is a good teacher.

Common mistake

❌ Ele é um amigo velho meu. (meaning a longtime friend)

✅ Ele é um velho amigo meu.

For a longtime friend, put velho before amigo. After amigo, velho describes the friend’s age.

Remember

Start with noun + adjective for ordinary descriptions; check the meaning when you move an adjective before the noun.