Qualitative (descriptive) adjectives - Hillcrest Elementary

Standard orthographic changes
h e word “orthography” refers to spelling. As discussed earlier (in Preliminary matters), the Spanish
alphabet remains constant. h is means that each letter or combination of letters produces a
particular sound, and if the context changes, then the spelling may change to accommodate that
sound. Fortunately, these changes are both few and without exception:
c before the letter e or i � qu
g before the letter e or i � gu
z before the letter e � c
Because the sui x -ito/-ita begins with the vowel i, adding it will change the spelling of many
words. You will encounter this standard orthographic change many times in the course of this
book and throughout your study of Spanish.
Note the following examples, then try some for yourself.
EJERCICIO
1·18
el amigo friend el amiguito pal, buddy
el brazo arm el bracito small arm
el chico boy el chiquito little boy
la mosca l y la mosquita little l y
un poco little bit un poquito tiny little bit
la vaca cow la vaquita small cow
36 practice makes perfect Spanish Vocabulary
Write the diminutive of each of the following Spanish words. Be careful to make
the appropriate orthographic changes.
IF THEN
1. la chica � girl � little girl
2. el mosco � gnat � mosquito
3. la hormiga � ant � tiny ant
4. el trago � swallow � sip
5. el pedazo � piece � small piece
6. el barco � boat � small boat
7. el borrego � lamb � little lamb
8. Paco � diminutive of Francisco � Frankie
9. la boca � mouth � little mouth
10. el mozo � lad, waiter � young lad