Qualifying adjectives are usually placed after the noun they describe. They can be placed before it in particular contexts, to follow stylistic choices (generally to indicate a more intimate perspective).

NOTE: Sometimes the meaning of the whole sentence can completely change according to whether the qualifying adjective comes before or after the noun, so you have to be extra careful.

 

For example:

 

- un uomo povero = a man who is poor

- un pover’uomo = a poor man (someone to feel sorry for)

 

- un uomo grande = a big man (from a physical point of view)

- un grand’uomo = a great man (from a moral point of view)

 

Generally, when the adjective comes before the noun you can interpret it as a specification, whereas when it comes after, as a description.