Learn Spanish (Latin America): Ese peligroso reptil terrestre es muy venenoso. - That dangerous terrestrial reptile is very poisonous.

Ese peligroso reptil terrestre es muy venenoso.

That dangerous terrestrial reptile is very poisonous.

Breakdown of Ese peligroso reptil terrestre es muy venenoso.

Questions & Answers about Ese peligroso reptil terrestre es muy venenoso.

Why does terrestre have to go exactly after reptil?

Terrestre is a relational adjective. This means it classifies the noun into a specific factual category (a land reptile, as opposed to an aquatic one). In Spanish, relational adjectives must always be placed directly after the noun they modify. You cannot put them before the noun.

Since peligroso is also an adjective, could I put it right after reptil and say Ese reptil peligroso terrestre?

No, that order breaks a key rule. When a noun has both a relational adjective (like terrestre) and a qualifying adjective (like peligroso), the relational adjective must stay closest to the noun because it forms a core concept (reptil terrestre). If you want both after the noun, it must be Ese reptil terrestre peligroso. Placing peligroso before the noun, as in this sentence, is a great stylistic trick to emphasize the danger while leaving the relational adjective in its strict mandatory spot.

The sentence uses muy venenoso. Could we also say something is muy terrestre?

No, you generally cannot use degree words like muy (very) or poco (a little) with relational adjectives like terrestre. A relational adjective places a noun into a strict category—an animal either is a land reptile or it isn't. In contrast, venenoso (poisonous) is a qualifying adjective, which describes a trait that can vary in intensity, so it naturally accepts muy.