Introduction
Adjectives in French are essential for describing nouns, whether they are objects, people, or places. One of the key aspects of using adjectives in French is ensuring they agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify.
Adjective Agreement
In French, adjectives must agree with the noun they describe in both gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural).
Examples
- Masculine Singular: "un livre rouge" (a red book)
- Feminine Singular: "une voiture rouge" (a red car)
- Masculine Plural: "des livres rouges" (red books)
- Feminine Plural: "des voitures rouges" (red cars)
Common Adjectives
1. Grand / Grande (Big)
- Masculine: "Il a un chien grand." (He has a big dog.)
- Feminine: "Elle a une maison grande." (She has a big house.)
2. Petit / Petite (Small)
- Masculine: "C’est un chat petit." (It’s a small cat.)
- Feminine: "Elle porte une robe petite." (She wears a small dress.)
3. Vieux / Vieille (Old)
- Masculine: "Mon ordinateur est vieux." (My computer is old.)
- Feminine: "Sa voiture est vieille." (Her car is old.)
4. Nouveau / Nouvelle (New)
- Masculine: "J’ai un téléphone nouveau." (I have a new phone.)
- Feminine: "Elle a une montre nouvelle." (She has a new watch.)
5. Beau / Belle (Beautiful)
- Masculine: "C’est un jardin beau." (It’s a beautiful garden.)
- Feminine: "Elle a une maison belle." (She has a beautiful house.)
6. Joli / Jolie (Pretty)
- Masculine: "Il porte un costume joli." (He wears a pretty suit.)
- Feminine: "Elle a une robe jolie." (She has a pretty dress.)
7. Long / Longue (Long)
- Masculine: "Il a un cheveux long." (He has long hair.)
- Feminine: "Elle porte une jupe longue." (She wears a long skirt.)
8. Court / Courte (Short)
- Masculine: "Il a un pantalon court." (He has short pants.)
- Feminine: "Elle a une veste courte." (She has a short jacket.)
9. Intéressant / Intéressante (Interesting)
- Masculine: "C’est un livre intéressant." (It’s an interesting book.)
- Feminine: "Elle a une histoire intéressante." (She has an interesting story.)
10. Jeune (Young)
- Masculine: "Mon frère est jeune." (My brother is young.)
- Feminine: "Ma sœur est jeune." (My sister is young.)
Adjective Agreement Table
| Adjective | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand | grand | grande | grands | grandes |
| Petit | petit | petite | petits | petites |
| Vieux | vieux | vieille | vieux | vieilles |
| Nouveau | nouveau | nouvelle | nouveaux | nouvelles |
| Beau | beau | belle | beaux | belles |
| Joli | joli | jolie | jolis | jolies |
| Long | long | longue | longs | longues |
| Court | court | courte | courts | courtes |
| Intéressant | intéressant | intéressante | intéressants | intéressantes |
| Jeune | jeune | jeune | jeunes | jeunes |
Examples in Sentences
Objects
- "J'ai un ordinateur nouveau." (I have a new computer.)
- "Elle aime sa chaise confortable." (She loves her comfortable chair.)
People
- "Mon frère est grand." (My brother is big.)
- "Ma sœur est intelligente." (My sister is intelligent.)
Conclusion
Adjective agreement is a fundamental part of French grammar. By ensuring that adjectives match the gender and number of the nouns they describe, you create clear and accurate descriptions.