Adjectives

Common adjectives such as big, small, new or old will go before the noun, but usually adjectives will go after the noun in French.

e.g.     C’est un grand bâtiment

            C’est un train rapide

All adjectives must "agree" with the noun they describe – if the noun is feminine and singular, the adjective must also be feminine and singular, or if the noun is plural, the adjective must be plural.

In a dictionary you will find the masculine singular form. Regular adjectives are made feminine by adding an "e", and plural by adding an "s".

e.g.      masc/sing             fem/sing             masc/pl             fem/pl

            grand                  grande                 grands             grandes

            petit                 petite                    petits               petites

Irregular adjectives must be learned separately

e.g. masc/sing     masc/sing(vowel/h)      fem/sing     masc/pl          fem/pl

      nouveau         nouvel                      nouvelle     nouveaux         nouvelles

          vieux          vieil                          vieille         vieux               vieilles

          beau           bel                           belle           beaux             belles

          gentil                     -                  gentille         gentils           gentilles

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