@albertsoemail Yes, if we break it down into literal/figurative use, that’s a rule of thumb we can follow. It’s more important with certain adjectives, such as simples, grande or pobre, where the placement really changes their meaning, as discussed in this Learning Note: Introduction to Portuguese Adjectives
In several other cases, there’s no difference in meaning when we change their positions (but we can consider that there’s a difference in emphasis):
- Que casa linda = Que linda casa (What a beautiful house)
- Eles deram um forte abraço = Eles deram um abraço forte (They gave a strong/tight hug)
- É uma longa estrada = É uma estrada longa (It’s a long road)
Then, there are adjectives that should preferably be placed only after the noun, such as any adjectives that classify/categorize the noun or describe very concrete attributes:
- Animal selvagem (Wild animal)
- Clima tropical (Tropical climate)
- Roupa escura (Dark clothing)
- Manga curta (Short sleeve)