Learn Spanish (Latin America): Solamente necesitamos suficiente hielo, no demasiado.

Solamente necesitamos suficiente hielo, no demasiado.

We only need enough ice, not too much.

Breakdown of Solamente necesitamos suficiente hielo, no demasiado.

Questions & Answers about Solamente necesitamos suficiente hielo, no demasiado.

Why does suficiente come before hielo? I thought describing words usually go after the noun.

You are right that most adjectives (describing words) generally go after the noun in Spanish. However, adjectives that talk about quantity or amounts—like suficiente (enough), mucho (a lot), and demasiado (too much)—are exceptions and always go before the noun.

Would demasiado change if we were talking about a feminine word instead of hielo?

Yes! Here, demasiado is standing in for the noun hielo (ice), which is masculine. If we were talking about a feminine noun, like agua (water), we would say no demasiada (not too much). Quantity words change to match the gender and number of the noun they describe or replace.

Does suficiente also change to match masculine or feminine nouns?

No, suficiente is an exception because it ends in the letter -e. It stays the exact same for both masculine and feminine nouns. However, it does change for plural nouns! If you needed enough cups, you would add an s and say suficientes vasos.

Can I use solo instead of solamente in this sentence?

Absolutely. Both solo and solamente mean only or just, and you can use them interchangeably in almost any situation.