unusual usage of "muy"

Gerald R.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

unusual usage of "muy"

I have noticed from time to time, that "muy" can be placed in front of a noun to add emphasis to the nature of the noun it is modifying. For example: Marco es muy trabajador. Marco is a very hard worker.

                                          Laura es muy cirujana. Laura is a very skilled surgeon.

Is this a legitimate usage for muy?


Asked 2 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Gerald

Muy can only modify an adjective or an adverb, so, in your example: Marco es muy trabajador , here, trabajador is not acting as a noun but an adjective. In your other example: Laura es muy cirujana, this use of muy with a profession sounds quite unusual to me, although as you said, you may hear it to emphasise how good a surgeon she is. The only examples that I can think of that make that emphasis and sound more natural and also colloquial are: 

¡Antonio es muy hombre! 

Here, "hombre" is definitely a noun, and this is something that you may hear meaning something like "Antonio is a very macho man". Equally you could also say: 

¡Antonia es muy mujer!

This would obviously mean the opposite to the example with Antonio.

But I can't really think of more examples using muy+ noun. I think this is limited to certain expressions like those I just mentioned. 

I hope it clarified it.

Saludos

 

Marcos G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

We do use “muy trabajador” in Mexico.

Gerald R. asked:

unusual usage of "muy"

I have noticed from time to time, that "muy" can be placed in front of a noun to add emphasis to the nature of the noun it is modifying. For example: Marco es muy trabajador. Marco is a very hard worker.

                                          Laura es muy cirujana. Laura is a very skilled surgeon.

Is this a legitimate usage for muy?


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