Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


The word Único

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old January 11, 2007, 04:02 PM
LauraPandora LauraPandora is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 9
LauraPandora is on a distinguished road
The word Único

My spanish teacher was telling me that with some adjectives it makes a difference in the meaning if you place them before the noun or after it. She used the classic example of "viejo amigo" (a friend you've known a long time) versus "amigo viejo" (a friend who is old).

But she also said that único had a slightly different meaning depending on where it was placed. She said if it was placed after, it meant that something is the only one, but if it was placed before, it has a meaning more like unique or extraordinary.

I trust my Spanish teacher but I'd like some confirmation because I'm thinking of using the subtle difference to illustrate something in a short story I'm writing.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old January 12, 2007, 06:25 AM
sosia's Avatar
sosia sosia is offline
Ankh-Morpork's citizen
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: a 55 cm del monitor
Posts: 2,984
Native Language: Spanish (Spain)
sosia has a spectacular aura aboutsosia has a spectacular aura about
Re: The word Único

Your teacher is correct.

example
"Juan fue a la caja y cogió el único anillo de entre las joyas"
Juan went to the vault and took the only ring among the jewelery.
"Juan fue a la caja y cogió el anillo único de entre las joyas"
Juan went to the vault and took the special ring among the jewelery

But it's more easy to understand if you know "Lord of the rings" or "the Hobbit" by J. R.R Tolkien (a must-read)

Introduction

Not far away was his island, of which Bilbo knew nothing,
and there in his hiding-place he kept a few wretched oddments,
and one very beautiful thing, very beautiful, very wonderful.
Gollum had a ring, a golden ring, a precious ring.
"My birthday-present!" he whispered to himself, as he had
often done in the endless dark days.
"That's what he wants now, yes; we wants it!"
He wanted it because it was a ring of power, and if you slipped that ring
on your finger, you were invisible; only in the full sunlight could you be seen,
and then only by your shadow, and that would be shaky and faint.
"My birthday-present! It came to me on my birthday, my precious."

end of introduction

So it was a vey special ring. But also was the only one ring there.
He had a ring, a golden ring, a precious ring.
Tenía un anillo, un anillo dorado, un anillo precioso.

Tenía un único anillo, un anillo dorado, un anillo precioso.
He had only a ring, a golden ring, a precious ring.

It means that in the place was only a ring. This ring was golden. This ring was precious.
It becomes more important with the reading. But its only a precious golden ring, wich is alone.
Perhaps you can find it somewhere else. (worth 1000 $??)

Tenía un anillo único, un anillo dorado, un anillo precioso.
He had a unique ring, a golden ring, a precious ring.

It was the ONE ring. It was golden. It was precious
The ring is one in the world. It was golden. It was precious.
You can't find one like it. It's also golden and precious (worth the Middle-earth ??)




Hope it helps for "único"
For differences in adjectives, ask Tomissimo

---------------------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_The_Rings
This is the Master-Ring, the One Ring to rule them all.
This is the One Ring lost many years ago,
to the great weakening of its maker's power.


__________________
History, contrary to popular theories, "is" kings and dates and battles.
Small Gods Terry Pratchett
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old January 12, 2007, 10:33 AM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
Re: The word Único

Quote:
Originally Posted by LauraPandora
But she also said that único had a slightly different meaning depending on where it was placed. She said if it was placed after, it meant that something is the only one, but if it was placed before, it has a meaning more like unique or extraordinary.
Hi Laura,

As sosia illustrates, it's actually the other way around.

El único zapato - the only shoe (there's only one shoe)
La única camisa - the only shirt (there's only one shirt)
Mi único amigo - my only friend (I only have one friend)

El zapato único - The unique/extraordinary/special shoe
La camisa única - the special shirt
Mi amigo único - My wonderful, one-of-a-kind friend.

There is a short list of adjectives that behave this way including viejo, antiguo, etc. There are also some situations where almost any adjective would go before the noun. For example:

Amo a mi novia maravillosa. (I love this one, as opposed to the other ones who aren´t maravillosa)
Amo a mi maravillosa novia. (I love my girlfriend, and she´s maravillosa)

Hope that helps
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old January 18, 2007, 07:14 PM
LauraPandora LauraPandora is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 9
LauraPandora is on a distinguished road
Re: The word Único

Yes, that does! Thanks so much!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old January 18, 2007, 08:32 PM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
Re: The word Único

No problem
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old January 19, 2007, 04:36 PM
ChadH's Avatar
ChadH ChadH is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 58
ChadH is on a distinguished road
Re: The word Único

I would be interested in knowing some more words that behave like unico in the sense that they have different meanings when used before/after the noun.

Thanks,
CH.
__________________
Please feel free to correct my Spanish - Gracias!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old July 07, 2007, 08:42 PM
gramatica gramatica is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 421
gramatica is on a distinguished road
A veces la posicion no importa, ¿verdad? O sea que significa lo mismo si se pone el adjetivo enfrente o detras del verbo, no?

Por ejemplo,

¿Ya tienen el nuevo libro?=Do you have the new book (yet)? es igual que ¿Ya tienen el libro nuevo?

Pero dependiendo del contexto puede significar algo un poco diferente. Por ejemplo,

un nuevo libro=a new book, another book (otro libro)
preguntas diferentes= diferentes preguntas=different questions, many questions (muchas preguntas)

Y se podria decir "Aprendio una nueva palabra" o "Aprendio una palabra nueva" ¿no?=She learned a new word

Gracias de antemano

Last edited by gramatica; July 07, 2007 at 08:44 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
the word "gabacho ajijicgail Vocabulary 10 October 11, 2007 12:33 PM
a weird word that i can't understand Maria Vocabulary 16 June 14, 2006 09:23 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:51 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X