Adjectives ending with mute -e don't change in the feminine in French

You probably already know the first rule of adding an 'e' to make a feminine adjective (See previous lesson Most adjectives can be made feminine by adding -e in French). It doesn't work for every French adjectives.

Learn how to form feminine adjectives ending in a mute -e in French

Il y a un rat gris et une souris grise.There is a grey rat and a grey mouse.

Now look at these cases:

J'ai acheté un sac rouge et une robe rouge.I bought a red bag and a red dress.

Il connaît un garçon timide et une fille timide.He knows a shy boy and a shy girl.

Je me suis cassé le bras gauche et la main gauche.I broke my left arm and my left hand.

Notice that when the adjective already ends in a mute -e in the masculine form, it stays the same in the feminine form.

 

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

J'ai acheté un sac rouge et une robe rouge.I bought a red bag and a red dress.
Il y a un rat gris et une souris grise.There is a grey rat and a grey mouse.

mute -e


Je me suis cassé le bras gauche et la main gauche.I broke my left arm and my left hand.
Il connaît un garçon timide et une fille timide.He knows a shy boy and a shy girl.
J'ai un stylo rouge et une règle rouge.I've got a red pen and a red ruler.

regular


Le pull vert est dans la voiture verte.The green jumper is in the green car.
I'll be right with you...