In French, adjectives are much more dynamic than in English because they need to agree with the nouns they describe. That means adjectives change based on the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun. Let’s break this down and look at some fun examples!
The Basics of Adjective Agreement
- Masculine Singular: This is the base form of the adjective.
- Feminine Singular: Usually, you add an “-e” to the masculine form.
- Masculine Plural: Generally, you add an “-s.”
- Feminine Plural: You add “-es” to the masculine form.
Here’s a simple example with the adjective grand (big, tall):
| Masculine | Feminine | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand | Grande | Grands | Grandes |
Examples in Sentences
Let’s see these forms in action:
Masculine Singular:
- Le chien est grand.
(The dog is big.)
Feminine Singular:
- La maison est grande.
(The house is big.)
Masculine Plural:
- Les chiens sont grands.
(The dogs are big.)
Feminine Plural:
- Les maisons sont grandes.
(The houses are big.)
Common Adjectives and Their Agreement
Here are a few common adjectives, along with their masculine and feminine forms:
- Petit → Petite (small)
- Intelligent → Intelligente (smart)
- Beau → Belle (beautiful/handsome)
- Bon → Bonne (good)
- Nouveau → Nouvelle (new)
Examples:
- Il est intelligent. (He is smart.)
- Elle est intelligente. (She is smart.)
- Un nouveau livre (A new book)
- Une nouvelle robe (A new dress)
Irregular Adjectives
Some adjectives don’t follow the regular patterns. Here are a few irregular ones:
- Blanc → Blanche (white)
- Vieux → Vieille (old)
- Doux → Douce (soft, sweet)
Examples:
- Un vieux monsieur (An old man)
- Une vieille dame (An old lady)
- Un chat blanc (A white cat)
- Une chemise blanche (A white shirt)
Adjective Placement
In French, most adjectives come after the noun, but there are a few common ones that come before the noun, like:
- Beau (beautiful)
- Bon (good)
- Petit (small)
Examples:
- Un petit chien (A small dog)
- Une belle voiture (A beautiful car)
Adjectives and Plural Forms
When an adjective describes a plural noun, you need to use the plural form of the adjective, which usually means adding an “-s” (or “-es” for feminine plural).
Examples:
- Les chats noirs (The black cats)
- Les filles intelligentes (The smart girls)
Practice Sentences
Here are some sentences to help you practice:
- Le livre est intéressant. (The book is interesting.)
- Les livres sont intéressants. (The books are interesting.)
- La fille est gentille. (The girl is nice.)
- Les filles sont gentilles. (The girls are nice.)
- Il est beau. (He is handsome.)
- Elle est belle. (She is beautiful.)
Adjective agreement in French may seem tricky at first, but with a bit of practice, it becomes second nature. Remember, always match the adjective’s gender and number with the noun it describes, and you’ll be speaking like a pro in no time!
