〜い〜 | Grammar

Structure

[i-adj] + [noun]

Description

An い-adjective goes straight before a noun to describe it, in the same form that ends a sentence: おおきい大きいいぬ犬, "a big dog". Nothing comes between the two.

。

I like big dogs.

。

I want to drink cold water.

。

I climbed a tall mountain.

belongs to the other kind of adjective, and joins two nouns. Neither goes after an い-adjective.

× 大きいな犬 → 大きい犬
× 新しいの本 → 新しい本

きれい and きらい

A few な-adjectives end in い too, and they take な before a noun. きれい and きらい are the ones you meet first.

。

What a pretty flower.

× きれい花 → きれいな花

Usage notes

These go beyond one plain adjective before one noun.

Negative and past

The negative and past forms also go straight before a noun.

。

I'm looking for a shop that isn't expensive.

。

I remember the trip that was so much fun.

Two adjectives

To put two adjectives before one noun, the first goes in the くて-form.

。

There is a big white dog.

いい

stays いい before a noun, but its other forms are built on : , .

。

Nice weather, isn't it?

。

Yesterday's film was good.

Examples

。

I like big dogs.

。

I bought a new bag.

。

I ate delicious food.

。

It was a long movie, wasn't it?

。

There is a white cat.

。

There were many difficult problems.

。

On hot days, I want to eat ice cream.

。

I can see a tall building.

。

Small children are playing in the park.

。

I am reading an interesting book.

。

I found an old photo.

。

I'm glad I was able to meet a good teacher.

References

Adjectives 形容詞imabi.org
I AdjectiveTofugu