Question about adjective/adverb placement

Chris P.A2Kwiziq community member

Question about adjective/adverb placement

Aquí se vende el periódico barato.

 Here the newspaper is sold cheaply.


I realize "barato" can work as an adjective or an adverb, but given its placement within the sentence used in the example, this reads to me like "The cheap newspaper is sold here," as if the expensive newspaper is sold across the street—they probably charge you just to look at the headlines!


Would it be clearer to say, "Aquí se vende barato el periódico"? Or am I mistaken in that this could only be translated as "cheaply" no matter where "barato" appears?
Asked 1 year ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Chris

Yes, that's correct, this could be interpreted in a different way as you said. 

To make it clear, if you want to convey what the adverb would, i.e "cheaply" then I'd place the adverb right after the verb "aquí se vende barato el periódico" - this way you can only interpret it that way.

However, this sentence with "barato" at the end:

Aquí se vende el periódico barato.

could be interpreted in either way:

1. Here they sell the paper cheaply.

2. Here the sell the cheap paper. (not the expensive one)

There is a lot of flexibility in terms of placement for adverbs in Spanish. 

I hope it clarified it.

Saludos

Chris P. asked:

Question about adjective/adverb placement

Aquí se vende el periódico barato.

 Here the newspaper is sold cheaply.


I realize "barato" can work as an adjective or an adverb, but given its placement within the sentence used in the example, this reads to me like "The cheap newspaper is sold here," as if the expensive newspaper is sold across the street—they probably charge you just to look at the headlines!


Would it be clearer to say, "Aquí se vende barato el periódico"? Or am I mistaken in that this could only be translated as "cheaply" no matter where "barato" appears?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
Getting that for you now...