2.3 Nouns that modify other nouns



As distinct from Spanish, one or more English nouns can be used to modify another noun; in these cases, it is the last noun that is the head noun. Note that in Spanish, the order of the nouns is typically the reverse of the English order, e.g.:



Nouns modifying nouns Spanish
child actor Niño actor
woman driver Conductora
a country cottage Una casa en el campo
party politics Política de partido
a beer bottle1 Una botella de cerveza
aircraft safety regulations Reglamentos de seguridad para los aviones
Christmas tree decorations Adornos para el árbol de Navidad
car engine spare parts Piezas de recambio para el motor del coche
Leeds University Chess Club Club de ajedrez de la Universidad de Leeds




1 For the difference between, for example, a beer bottle and a bottle of beer, see containers.

For the order of these nouns and adjectives, see order of adjectives and nouns.



Notice also the following types of compound expressions before nouns:



Compound expressions before nouns Spanish
a 12-year-old girl una chica de 12 años
a two-day trip una excursión de 2 días
three four-litre petrol cans 3 latas para 4 litros de gasolina
a twenty-euro note un billete de 20 euros
several four-letter words varias palabras de 4 letras



See also possessive form of nouns.