Breakdown of El libro rojo está en el escritorio.
el libro
the book
en
in
estar
to be
el escritorio
the desk
rojo
red
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Questions & Answers about El libro rojo está en el escritorio.
Why is el used before libro?
El is the definite article for masculine singular nouns in Spanish. Libro is a masculine singular noun, so it takes el.
How do I know libro is masculine?
Many Spanish nouns ending in -o are masculine (for example, libro, gato, perro). There are exceptions (like mano), but libro follows the regular pattern.
Why does the adjective rojo come after the noun instead of before it?
Descriptive adjectives in Spanish typically follow the noun they modify. So libro rojo literally is “book red,” which we translate naturally as “red book.”
Why is rojo masculine singular?
In Spanish adjectives must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun they describe. Since libro is masculine singular, rojo is also in its masculine singular form.
Why is está used here instead of es?
You use the verb estar (está) for location and temporary states. Ser (es) is for permanent characteristics or identity. Talking about where the book is requires está.
What does en mean in this sentence?
En is a preposition meaning in, on, or at, depending on context. Here, en indicates the book’s location relative to the desk—most naturally “on the desk.”
Why is there an el before escritorio?
Spanish generally uses a definite article before singular (and plural) nouns when stating something about them. En el escritorio means “on the desk,” referring to that specific desk.
Could I use sobre instead of en to say “on”?
Yes. Sobre also means on or over. El libro rojo está sobre el escritorio is perfectly correct and can sound a bit more precise or formal.
How would I make the sentence plural if there are several red books?
You’d pluralize the article, noun, and adjective:
Los libros rojos están en el escritorio (if they’re all on one desk)
Or if you also have multiple desks:
Los libros rojos están en los escritorios.
Can I put the adjective before the noun for emphasis?
Yes, you could say el rojo libro, but it’s unusual in everyday Spanish and gives a poetic or emphatic tone. The standard, neutral order is el libro rojo.