Question

Which adjectives go before the nouns in French? Give specific examples.

Answer 1

In French, adjectives can either precede or follow the nouns they modify, and the placement often depends on the type of adjective. Here are some general rules and specific examples:

### Adjectives that Typically Precede Nouns:
Certain adjectives almost always precede the noun. These include:

1. **BAGS**: Adjectives that describe Beauty, Age, Goodness, and Size.
- **Beau (beautiful)**: un beau livre (a beautiful book)
- **Jeune (young)**: une jeune fille (a young girl)
- **Bon (good)**: un bon repas (a good meal)
- **Grand (big/tall)**: un grand homme (a tall man)

2. **Other Common Adjectives**:
- **Petit (small)**: un petit chien (a small dog)
- **Joli (pretty)**: une jolie robe (a pretty dress)
- **Nouveau (new)**: un nouveau téléphone (a new phone)

### Adjectives that Typically Follow Nouns:
Many adjectives typically follow the noun, especially when they are more descriptive or when they consist of multiple syllables:

1. **Descriptive Adjectives**:
- **Intéressant (interesting)**: un livre intéressant (an interesting book)
- **Rouge (red)**: une voiture rouge (a red car)
- **Ancien (ancient/old)**: un château ancien (an old castle)

2. **Compound Adjectives**:
- **Américain (American)**: un homme américain (an American man)
- **Français (French)**: une couture française (a French seam)

### Adjectives that Can Be Before or After:
Some adjectives can be placed both before and after the noun but may change in meaning or emphasis:

- **Certain**:
- Before: certaines personnes (certain people)
- After: une idée certaine (a certain idea)

- **Cher**:
- Before: mon cher ami (my dear friend)
- After: un livre cher (an expensive book)

### Conclusion
While many adjectives follow the noun in French, those related to beauty, age, goodness, and size usually precede it. Understanding these patterns can greatly aid in mastering French adjective placement.