calificative

Calificative is a term used in linguistics, particularly in some Romance-language grammars, to refer to adjectives that express a quality or property of a noun. The word signals that the adjective is qualifying the noun by ascribing characteristics such as color, size, age, or temperament. In English-language linguistics, the corresponding concept is usually described as adjectives of quality or descriptive adjectives; “calificative” itself is less common in English usage.

In grammar, calificatives describe inherent attributes of the noun rather than its reference or category. They contrast with determinatives (articles, demonstratives, possessives) that specify reference, and with relational or classificatory adjectives that indicate a relation, origin, or type. Qualitative adjectives can be used attributively or predicatively and often agree with the noun in gender and number in languages that mark agreement, such as Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.

Usage and distribution vary by language, but calificatives typically behave as gradable elements. They can take degree modifiers like very or quite (very tall, very red) and may appear in different positions relative to the noun to convey emphasis or nuance, depending on the language.

Examples across languages illustrate the category: Spanish cae within casa roja (red house) and mujer alta (tall woman); English uses red car and tall building; Italian uses automobile rossa and uomo alto; Portuguese uses casa vermelha and homem alto. See also adjectives, qualitative adjectives, and adjetivo calificativo for related terminology.