Adjective After the Noun

Level 6

Ordinary: hnedý medveď (a brown bear). Scientific name: medveď hnedý (the species brown bear). Fixed terms: kyselina sírová, oxid uhličitý.

How It Works

The normal order. An agreeing adjective usually comes before its noun: nová kniha, hnedý medveď, veľké mesto. It still agrees with the noun, as described in adjective agreement.

After the noun: terms and names. In some kinds of language the adjective follows the noun:

  • Biology: lipa malolistá (small-leaved lime), medveď hnedý (brown bear as a species), jeleň lesný (red deer)
  • Chemistry and other sciences: kyselina sírová (sulfuric acid), oxid uhličitý (carbon dioxide)
  • Historical and religious names: Karol Veľký (Charlemagne), Duch Svätý (the Holy Spirit), Otče náš (Our Father, with the possessive pronoun náš)
  • Lists and catalogues: paradajky lúpané (peeled tomatoes)

Many of these terms use adjectives formed from nouns, such as sírový (from síra, sulfur).

A difference in meaning. Hnedý medveď describes any brown bear. Medveď hnedý names the species. The order turns a description into a term.

In literature. Poetry and elevated prose may also put the adjective after the noun for rhythm or emphasis: noc tichá. In ordinary speech this order sounds poetic or odd. See word order in literary style.

Examples (5)

  1. Kyselina sírová je veľmi nebezpečná.

    Sulfuric acid is very dangerous.

    Word by Word: Acid sulfuric is very dangerous.

  2. V parku rastie stará lipa malolistá.

    An old small-leaved lime grows in the park.

    Word by Word: In park grows old lime small-leaved.

    Stará describes the tree and comes first; malolistá is part of the species name.

  3. Medveď hnedý žije aj v Tatrách.

    The brown bear also lives in the Tatras.

    Word by Word: Bear brown lives also in Tatras.

  4. Karol Veľký bol franským panovníkom.

    Charlemagne was a Frankish ruler.

    Word by Word: Charles Great was Frankish ruler.

  5. Oxid uhličitý vzniká pri horení.

    Carbon dioxide is produced by burning.

    Word by Word: Oxide carbonic arises during burning.

Common Mistakes

  • Breaking agreement when the adjective comes second.

    Kyselina sírový je nebezpečná.
    Kyselina sírová je nebezpečná.

    The adjective still agrees with the noun: kyselina is feminine, so the form is sírová.

  • Reversing a fixed scientific term.

    Do roztoku pridáme sírovú kyselinu. (in a chemistry text)
    Do roztoku pridáme kyselinu sírovú.

    The chemical name is fixed as kyselina sírová, so a chemistry text keeps that order in every case.

How It Connects

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Adjective After the NounLevel 6

Learn This First

Before Adjective After the Noun, learn Adjective Agreement and Word Order and New Information. An adjective after the noun still agrees with it. Its position is a change from basic order.