The position of adjectives within a sentence in French

Read more about how to use The position of adjectives within a sentence in French.
Feel the need to learn new grammar tips fast? Learn French online and test your grammar knowledge with Frantastique for free.

TEST YOUR FRENCH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,6 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 7 million users

The position of adjectives within a sentence

For the most part, adjectives are placed after the noun.
Une maison bleue a blue house
Un film étranger a foreign film
However, we put the adjective before the noun when describing the following:

• Beauty
Une jolie femme a pretty woman
De beaux bébés some beautiful babies
• Age
Un vieil homme an old man
Des nouvelles chaussures some new shoes
• Things we can count
La deuxième fois the second time
Le dernier métro the last metro
• Things that are qualified as good or bad
Un mauvais souvenir Aa bad memory
La meilleure idée the best idea
• Size
Une grande maison a large house
Une minuscule erreur a tiny mistake
Notes:

• Adjectives with more than three syllables are always placed after the noun.
Un film extraordinaire an amazing film
Un parfum malodorant a foul smell
• Some adjectives change their meaning according to their placement.

Un grand homme = un homme illustre mais un homme grand = un homme de grande taille (notez que cet usage de grand ne s'applique qu'aux personnes) Un grand homme a grand/illustrious man and un homme grand a large man (note: the change in the meaning of grand only applies when describing people)
La semaine dernière = la semaine précédente mais la dernière semaine = l'ultime semaine (il n’y en aura pas d’autres après) La semaine dernière last week and la dernière semaine the final week (there won't be others afterwards)

Still having trouble with 'The position of adjectives within a sentence'? Master the rules of French grammar and improve your French level thanks to our online French lessons Frantastique. We're offering a 7-day free trial, so what are you waiting for?



What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online French lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my French. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.


Looking to improve French for beginners? Frantastique provides effective and fun training!

Tips for learning 'The position of adjectives within a sentence'? Share them with us!

TEST YOUR FRENCH