In French, adjectives agree with nouns they qualify in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). These adjectives are generally placed after the noun, following the structure: Noun + Adjective.
Agreement of Adjectives
The adjective agrees with the noun it qualifies, adopting its gender and number markers.
- Un chat noir (A black cat: masculine singular)
- Une maison neuve (A new house: feminine singular)
- Des chats noirs (Black cats: masculine plural)
- Des maisons neuves (New houses: feminine plural)
Examples of Agreement
Here are some examples showing the agreement in gender and number:
- Un jardin secret (A secret garden: masculine singular)
- Une histoire captivante (A captivating story: feminine singular)
- Des voitures rapides (Fast cars: feminine plural)
- Des arbres majestueux (Majestic trees: masculine plural)
Regular Position of Adjectives
The most common position for the adjective in French is after the noun. This structure contributes to the clarity and precision of the expression.
- Un livre intéressant (an interesting book)
- Une voiture électrique (an electric car)
- Des fleurs parfumées (fragrant flowers)
This Noun + Adjective arrangement is the most common in French, although some adjectives may precede the noun for stylistic reasons or meaning. This is the case, for example, with "petit" (small) or "grand" (big). One would say "un petit appartement" (a small apartment) or "une grande ville" (a big city). Other exceptions will be presented later.