Primeros Adjetivos: Grande, Pequeño, Bueno, Malo
big, small, good o bad antes de lo que estás describiendo.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'big', 'small', 'good', and 'bad' before a noun to describe its size or quality instantly.
- Place the adjective before the noun: 'a big house' (not 'a house big').
- Use 'is' or 'are' to link them: 'The cat is small.'
- These words never change for plural nouns: 'big dogs', not 'bigs dogs'.
Overview
good (buena) o bad (mala)? ¿Fue un big (gran) éxito de taquilla o una small (pequeña) película independiente?Big, small, good y bad son algunos de los primeros y más útiles adjetivos que aprenderás en inglés.good (buena)? ¿Tu apartamento es small (pequeño)?big (grande)? ¿El tráfico es bad (malo)? Estas palabras responden a preguntas básicas y comparten sentimientos.How This Grammar Works
- 1Antes del sustantivo: El adjetivo va directamente antes de la cosa que describe.
a big dog(un perro grande)a good idea(una buena idea)a small car(un coche pequeño)a bad day(un mal día)
a dog big. El orden correcto es siempre a big dog.- 1Después del verbo
to be: Cuando afirmas un hecho sobre algo usandois,amoare, el adjetivo va después del verbo.
- The dog is
big. (El perro es grande.) - The idea is
good. (La idea es buena.) - My car is
small. (Mi coche es pequeño.) - The traffic is
bad. (El tráfico es malo.)
big (grande). Simple, ¿verdad? Es mucho menos estresante que intentar decidir qué ver en Netflix.Gender & Agreement
- a
bigboy (un chico grande) - a
biggirl (una chica grande) bigboys (chicos grandes)biggirls (chicas grandes)
Big nunca cambia. Sin -s al final para los plurales. Nada. Compara esto con el francés o el español, y verás por qué los estudiantes de inglés tienen suerte aquí. Es una cosa menos de la que preocuparse, como cuando tu pedido de comida llega justo a tiempo.Conjugation Table
| Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
big (sustantivo singular) |
I see a big cat. |
Veo un gato grande. |
big (sustantivo plural) |
I see big cats. |
Veo gatos grandes. |
small (sustantivo singular) |
She has a small problem. |
Ella tiene un problema pequeño. |
small (sustantivo plural) |
She has small problems. |
Ella tiene problemas pequeños. |
good (sustantivo singular) |
That is a good book. |
Ese es un buen libro. |
good (sustantivo plural) |
Those are good books. |
Esos son buenos libros. |
bad (sustantivo singular) |
He had a bad day. |
Él tuvo un mal día. |
bad (sustantivo plural) |
He had some bad days. |
Él tuvo algunos días malos. |
Common Collocations
collocations. Usarlas te hará sonar mucho más fluido, como si no estuvieras simplemente traduciendo de tu lengua materna.- Big:
bigcity,bigmistake,bigsurprise,bigdeal,bigbrother - Small:
smalltalk,smallworld,smallportion - Good:
goodmorning,goodjob,goodidea,goodluck,goodnews - Bad:
badday,badhabit,badmood,badnews,badtrip
small talk (charla trivial) con alguien que no conoces bien. Felicitas a un amigo diciendo good job (buen trabajo). A un acontecimiento importante de la vida lo llamas un big deal (algo importante). Aprender estas combinaciones es como conseguir un truco para sonar natural.
Formation Pattern
a, an o the).
big, small, good, bad).
a + good + book = a good book.
the + big + dog = the big dog.
to be (is, are, am).
The house + is + small. = The house is small.
The tacos + are + good. = The tacos are good.
Common Mistakes
- 1Posición incorrecta: Poner el adjetivo después del sustantivo.
- ✗ A car
small. - ✓ A
smallcar.
- 1Añadir
-spara los plurales: Recuerda, los adjetivos nunca cambian.
- ✗ The dogs are
bigs. - ✓ The dogs are
big.
- 1Usar
Goodvs.Well: Este es un poco complicado.Goodes un adjetivo; describe un sustantivo.Welles un adverbio; describe un verbo. ¡Pero la gente a menudo los confunde en la conversación!
- ✗ I speak English
good. - ✓ I speak English
well. (Describe *cómo* hablas) - ✓ My English is
good. (Describe tu inglés)
Quick FAQ
P: ¿Puedo usar dos adjetivos juntos?
R: ¡Sí! Puedes decir
a. Veremos las reglas de orden de los adjetivos más adelante, pero por ahora, solo que sepas que es posible.big,baddog
P: ¿Tienen opuestos big, small, good, bad?
R: ¡Sí! El opuesto de big es small. El opuesto de good es bad. Vienen en pares bonitos y ordenados.
P: ¿Está bien decir solo Good. como respuesta?
R: Totalmente. Si alguien pregunta How are you?, una respuesta muy común y normal es simplemente
Good, thanks. You?P: ¿Puede bad significar good? ¿Como en el argot?
R: ¡Has notado algo genial! Sí, a veces en el argot muy informal, puedes oír a alguien decir que una canción es bad para decir que es increíble. Pero esto es avanzado y depende del tono. Por ahora, solo usa bad para significar algo negativo. No querrás decirle accidentalmente a tu profesor que su clase es bad.
Adjective Placement and Agreement
| Type | Singular Noun | Plural Noun | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Before Noun
|
A big house
|
Big houses
|
No 's' on 'big'
|
|
After Verb
|
The car is small
|
The cars are small
|
Adjective stays same
|
|
Negative
|
It is not good
|
They are not good
|
Use 'not' after verb
|
|
Question
|
Is it bad?
|
Are they bad?
|
Verb comes first
|
Common Contractions with Adjectives
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
It is big
|
It's big
|
It's a big dog.
|
|
They are good
|
They're good
|
They're good people.
|
|
It is not small
|
It isn't small
|
It isn't a small room.
|
|
That is bad
|
That's bad
|
That's a bad idea.
|
Meanings
These four words are the foundational building blocks for describing the physical size and the inherent value or quality of objects, people, and ideas.
Physical Size
Using 'big' and 'small' to describe the dimensions or scale of an object.
“The elephant is big.”
“The mouse is small.”
Quality/Value
Using 'good' and 'bad' to express approval, satisfaction, or the lack thereof.
“This pizza is good.”
“That was a bad movie.”
Importance/Severity
Using 'big' to mean important or 'bad' to mean serious.
“This is a big mistake.”
“I have bad news.”
Reference Table
| Adjetivo | Significado | Ejemplo (Adjetivo + Sustantivo) | Ejemplo (con 'is') |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Big
|
Grande de tamaño
|
a big house
|
The car is big.
|
|
Small
|
Pequeño de tamaño
|
a small cat
|
The phone is small.
|
|
Good
|
Bueno, de alta calidad
|
good coffee
|
This idea is good.
|
|
Bad
|
Malo, de baja calidad
|
bad weather
|
The movie was bad.
|
|
Big
|
Importante o serio
|
a big problem
|
The news is big.
|
|
Small
|
Poco importante
|
a small detail
|
It's a small issue.
|
Espectro de formalidad
The quality is exceptional. (Reviewing a product)
It is very good. (Reviewing a product)
It's great! (Reviewing a product)
It's fire! (Reviewing a product)
Tus primeros adjetivos: Herramientas para describir
Tamaño
- big large in size
- small little in size
Calidad
- good positive, pleasant
- bad negative, unpleasant
Regla
- Posición before the noun
- Forma never changes (no plural)
Dónde poner el adjetivo: Inglés vs. Error común
Guía rápida para usar tus adjetivos
¿Quieres describir algo (persona, lugar, cosa)?
¿Es un objeto singular que se puede contar (como 'car')?
¿Pusiste el adjetivo ANTES del sustantivo?
Cuándo usar tus primeros adjetivos
Tamaño físico
- • a big building
- • a small room
- • big hands
- • small feet
Calidad u Opinión
- • good food
- • bad movie
- • a good idea
- • bad weather
Importancia
- • a big problem
- • a small detail
- • big news
- • small talk
Sentimientos
- • a good day
- • a bad mood
- • feel good
- • feel bad
Ejemplos por nivel
The cat is big.
The cat is big.
It is a small car.
It is a small car.
The coffee is good.
The coffee is good.
This is a bad day.
This is a bad day.
A big apple.
A big apple.
The shoes are too small.
The shoes are too small.
Is the movie good?
Is the movie good?
He is a very good student.
He is a very good student.
The weather is not bad today.
The weather is not bad today.
They have two big dogs.
They have two big dogs.
It was a big mistake to leave early.
It was a big mistake to leave early.
The good thing is that we are safe.
The good thing is that we are safe.
I had a bad experience at that hotel.
I had a bad experience at that hotel.
Small businesses need our support.
Small businesses need our support.
That is a good point.
That is a good point.
The company made a big push into the Asian market.
The company made a big push into the Asian market.
It's not a bad idea, but we need more time.
It's not a bad idea, but we need more time.
He's a good man at heart.
He's a good man at heart.
The small details make the difference.
The small details make the difference.
We are facing a big challenge.
We are facing a big challenge.
The sheer scale of the project was too big to comprehend.
The sheer scale of the project was too big to comprehend.
There is a bad smell coming from the basement.
There is a bad smell coming from the basement.
He has a good command of the English language.
He has a good command of the English language.
The small print in the contract is crucial.
The small print in the contract is crucial.
It's a big ask, but can you help me?
It's a big ask, but can you help me?
The inherent goodness of humanity is a central theme.
The inherent goodness of humanity is a central theme.
The 'Big Four' accounting firms dominate the industry.
The 'Big Four' accounting firms dominate the industry.
He was caught in a bad way after the accident.
He was caught in a bad way after the accident.
The small-mindedness of the committee was frustrating.
The small-mindedness of the committee was frustrating.
It's a big world out there, full of opportunities.
It's a big world out there, full of opportunities.
Fácil de confundir
Learners use 'good' to describe how they do an action.
Learners use 'big' to describe a person's height.
These are very similar and often interchangeable.
Using the adverb form after a linking verb.
Errores comunes
The house big.
The big house.
They are bigs dogs.
They are big dogs.
It a good book.
It is a good book.
A smalls cat.
A small cat.
I am very good.
I am doing well.
The movie was badly.
The movie was bad.
It is a more big car.
It is a bigger car.
The good of the movie...
The goodness of the movie...
He is a big man (meaning tall).
He is a tall man.
A bad-quality product.
A poor-quality product.
Patrones de oraciones
The ___ is ___.
I have a ___ ___.
It is not a ___ ___.
Is the ___ ___?
They are ___ ___.
Real World Usage
This shirt is too small.
The food was very good.
He is a good driver.
Big day today! 🎓
I have good communication skills.
Bad weather expected.
I have a bad headache.
Is my bag too big?
El orden lo es todo
I have a big car.
¡Los adjetivos no cambian!
They are two big dogs.
Conéctalo con tu mundo
This is a small phone.
Cómo sonar más amable
The news is not good.
Smart Tips
Use your hands! English speakers often use gestures while saying 'big' or 'small' to show exactly what they mean.
Use 'okay' or 'not bad'. It's a safe middle ground.
Check your adjective for an 's'. If you see one, delete it!
Remember that 'big' can describe events, not just objects.
Pronunciación
Big
Short 'i' sound like 'sit'. Do not say 'beeg'.
Good
The 'oo' is short, like in 'foot'. Not long like 'food'.
Bad
The 'a' is wide, like in 'cat'.
Small
The 'a' sounds like 'aw' in 'law'. The 'l' is a 'dark l'.
Emphasis
It is a BIG dog.
Stressing the adjective adds extra emotion or surprise.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
B.S.G.B. - Big Stars Get Bright! (Big, Small, Good, Bad).
Asociación visual
Imagine a giant (Big) holding a tiny mouse (Small) while eating a delicious cake (Good) that has a fly on it (Bad).
Rhyme
Big or small, short or tall. Good or bad, happy or sad.
Story
A big giant lived in a small house. He was a good giant, but he had a bad cold.
Word Web
Desafío
Look around your room. Find 3 things and describe them using these 4 words (e.g., 'Big bed', 'Small lamp', 'Good chair').
Notas culturales
Americans often use 'good' to mean 'doing well' when asked 'How are you?'.
British speakers might use 'not bad' as a high compliment, meaning 'actually quite good'.
In international business, 'bad' is often replaced with 'challenging' to sound more professional.
Most of these words come from Old English or Old Norse, reflecting the Germanic roots of English.
Inicios de conversación
Is your city big or small?
What is a good movie?
Is the weather bad today?
Do you have a big family?
Tell me about a bad habit you have.
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
She has a ___ cat.
Find and fix the mistake:
The movie was a good.
Traduce al inglés: 'Ella tiene una idea pequeña.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesWhich one is correct?
The apples ___ good.
Find and fix the mistake:
They are smalls cats.
good / is / coffee / The
Big
A: Is the movie good? B: No, it is ___.
Pick the quality word.
Un perro grande.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesMy phone screen is very ___. (Es pequeña)
I like cat small.
¿Cuál frase es la correcta?
Traduce al inglés: 'Tenemos un día malo.'
Ordena las palabras:
Une cada par:
Don't make a ___ decision. (No tomes una...)
She drives a car big.
¿Cuál de estas es gramaticalmente correcta?
Traduce: 'Nos gusta la música buena.'
Ordena la frase:
Une los opuestos:
Score: /12
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
Yes! You can use `very` before any of these adjectives to make them stronger, like `very good` or `very small`.
They are mostly the same. `Big` is more common in daily speech, while `large` is a bit more formal.
Usually, yes. However, in some very old slang, it could mean 'cool', but you should always use it as a negative word at the A0 level.
You say `a good` because 'good' starts with a consonant sound. You only use `an` if the next word starts with a vowel sound.
Yes, but be careful. `A big man` usually means he is wide or strong. If you mean he is tall, use the word `tall`.
In modern English, especially in the US, `I am good` is the standard response to 'How are you?'. `I am well` is more formal.
Yes! Just remember the adjective doesn't change. `Big dogs`, `small cats`, `good books`.
Yes, they are very similar. `Small` is more about the actual size, while `little` can sound more cute or emotional.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
grande, pequeño, bueno, malo
Word order is reversed and English has no gender agreement.
grand, petit, bon, mauvais
French requires gender/number agreement.
groß, klein, gut, schlecht
German has complex adjective endings.
大きい (ookii), 小さい (chiisai)
Japanese adjectives conjugate like verbs.
كبير (kabir), صغير (saghir)
Adjective follows noun and matches definiteness.
大 (dà), 小 (xiǎo)
Chinese uses 'hěn' as a structural link.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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