An adjective is a word that modifies a noun. There are many types of adjectives: descriptive adjectives, verbal adjectives, demonstrative adjectives, relative adjectives, etc...
In this chapter, we examine descriptive or qualifying adjectives.
Let’s start with the following examples:
J’ai acheté un grand coffre à jouets.
I bought a big toy chest.
“grand” is a descriptive adjective. It modifies or describes the noun “coffre”.
Notice that the adjective in the sentence above preceded the noun.
Elle a des parents très sévères.
She has very strict parents.
“sévères” is a descriptive adjective. It modifies the noun “parents”.
Notice that the adjective in the sentence above follows the noun.
Remember: Unlike in English, adjectives related to nationality, religion, and ethnicity in French are not capitalized, i.e., they don't start with a capital letter.
We generally form the plural of adjectives by adding an “s” to the end of the singular adjective. However, many adjectives form their plurals differently depending on their ending. In this lesson, we will study the adjectives ending in “al”, “eau, “s” and “x”, but first let’s start with the general rule. The plural of adjectives is formed by adding an “s”.
For example:
Hugo est très drôle.
Hugo is hilarious.
Hugo et Jacques sont très drôles.
Hugo and Jacques are hilarious.
Sophie a vendu sa nouvelle robe.
Sophie sold her new dress.
Sophie a vendu ses nouvelles robes.
Sophie sold her new dresses.
Sa fille est grande de taille.
Her daughter is tall.
Son fils et sa fille sont grands de taille.
Her son and her daughter are tall.
For example:
Exceptions: The following adjectives ending in “al” take an “s” in the plural.
Remember: “banal” commonplace, “final” final, and “idéal” ideal can take both the “s” and the “aux” form in the plural.
-eau
The adjectives ending in “eau” form their plural by adding “x” at the end of the adjective.
For example:
For example:
In this chapter, we examine descriptive or qualifying adjectives.
Let’s start with the following examples:
J’ai acheté un grand coffre à jouets.
I bought a big toy chest.
“grand” is a descriptive adjective. It modifies or describes the noun “coffre”.
Notice that the adjective in the sentence above preceded the noun.
Elle a des parents très sévères.
She has very strict parents.
“sévères” is a descriptive adjective. It modifies the noun “parents”.
Notice that the adjective in the sentence above follows the noun.
Remember: Unlike in English, adjectives related to nationality, religion, and ethnicity in French are not capitalized, i.e., they don't start with a capital letter.
We generally form the plural of adjectives by adding an “s” to the end of the singular adjective. However, many adjectives form their plurals differently depending on their ending. In this lesson, we will study the adjectives ending in “al”, “eau, “s” and “x”, but first let’s start with the general rule. The plural of adjectives is formed by adding an “s”.
For example:
Hugo est très drôle.
Hugo is hilarious.
Hugo et Jacques sont très drôles.
Hugo and Jacques are hilarious.
Sophie a vendu sa nouvelle robe.
Sophie sold her new dress.
Sophie a vendu ses nouvelles robes.
Sophie sold her new dresses.
Sa fille est grande de taille.
Her daughter is tall.
Son fils et sa fille sont grands de taille.
Her son and her daughter are tall.
Adjectives ending in -al
The adjectives ending in “al” form their plural by replacing “al” with “aux”:For example:
| Singular | Plural |
| communal | communaux |
| abdominal | abdominaux |
| amical | amicaux |
| bestial | bestiaux |
| brutal | brutaux |
| commercial | commerciaux |
| digital | digitaux |
| général | généraux |
| musical | musicaux |
| médical | médicaux |
Exceptions: The following adjectives ending in “al” take an “s” in the plural.
| Singular | Plural |
| bancal | bancals |
| fatal | fatals |
| naval | navals |
Remember: “banal” commonplace, “final” final, and “idéal” ideal can take both the “s” and the “aux” form in the plural.
For example:
| Singular | Plural |
| beau | beaux |
| nouveau | nouveaux |
| jumeau | jumeaux |
Adjectives ending in -s and -x
The adjectives ending in “s” and “x” stay unchanged in the plural form.For example:
| Singular | Plural |
| heureux | heureux |
| vaniteux | vaniteux |
| obtus | obtus |
| français | français |
| roux | roux |
| vieux | vieux |