Adjectives Between a Number and a Noun

Level 3Sounds Like brojna forma s prilagatelno

Two new chairs is два нови стола: the adjective is plural, and the noun keeps the count form.

How It Works

1. The pattern. Number + plural adjective + count form:

  • два нови стола (two new chairs)
  • три големи града (three big cities)
  • няколко черни коня (a few black horses)
  • колко интересни филма (how many interesting films)

2. The adjective is plural. Standard Bulgarian uses the ordinary plural adjective here: нови, големи, черни. The count ending -а/-я belongs only to the noun.

3. Only when nothing else is in between. The count form is used only when the number stands right before the noun or its adjective. A preposition in between brings back the ordinary plural: Два от новите столове са счупени.

4. With the article. The article goes on the number, the first word: двата нови компютъра (the two new computers). See articles on numbers.

5. Not for people. Masculine nouns for people take the plural and special numbers: трима добри приятели. See numbers for groups of men. Feminine and neuter nouns always use the ordinary plural: две нови маси.

Examples (6)

  1. Купихме два нови стола.

    We bought two new chairs.

  2. Посетихме три големи града.

    We visited three big cities.

  3. В стаята има пет удобни дивана.

    There are five comfortable sofas in the room.

  4. Двата нови компютъра вече работят.

    The two new computers are already working.

    The article goes on the number: двата.

  5. Колко интересни града видяхте?

    How many interesting cities did you see?

    Колко also takes the count form.

  6. Имам трима добри приятели.

    I have three good friends.

    Nouns for men do not use the count form.

Common Mistakes

  • Switching the noun to the ordinary plural because of the adjective.

    Купихме два нови столове.
    Купихме два нови стола.

    The adjective does not cancel the count form. After a number, the masculine noun still ends in -а.

  • Giving the adjective the count ending.

    Купихме два нова стола.
    Купихме два нови стола.

    In standard Bulgarian the adjective takes its normal plural form: нови.

  • Using the count form after a preposition.

    Два от новите стола са счупени.
    Два от новите столове са счупени.

    The count form appears only when the number stands directly before the noun or adjective. After от, use the ordinary plural.

How It Connects

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Adjectives Between a Number and a NounLevel 3

Learn This First

Adjectives between a number and a noun extend the count form.