English

Noun

primero ‎(uncountable)

1. An old card game resembling poker.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)

Spanish

Alternative forms

• (adjective, first): (abbreviation) 1.º m, 1.ª f

Etymology

From Latin prīmārius. Doublet of primario.

Noun

primero m ‎(plural primeros) Alternative spelling of prime

1. one of the five bids in the card game of Primero, consisting of a combination of four cards in the hand

Adjective

primero m ‎(feminine singular primera, masculine plural primeros, feminine plural primeras)

1. first
2. chief; fundamental
3. prime

Usage notes

Most Spanish adjectives appear after the modified noun when used attributively. Forms of primero, however, can appear before the modified noun.

When used before a modified masculine singular noun, the apocopate form primer is used instead of primero:

Es el primer hijo. — “[He] is the first son.”

Es el hijo primero. — “[He] is the first son.”

This adjective is often used substantively, with the modified noun implied but omitted.

¿Cuál hijo es? Es el primero. — “Which son is [he]? [He] is the first [son].”

Adverb

primero

1. first