Bonjour Sue !
We actually have a lesson on that subject:
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/how-to-say-new-neuf-versus-nouveau
Bonne journée !
What is the difference between neuf and nouveau?
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Sue M.Kwiziq community member
What is the difference between neuf and nouveau?
This question relates to:French lesson "Forming the feminine of adjectives ending in -f in French"
Asked 7 years ago
Ron T. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonsoir Sue,
Looking at the Collins-Robert Dictionary:
nouveau
(nuvo, nuvɛl )
Word forms:nouvelle, nouvel, devant un nom masculin commençant par une voyelle ou un h muet, masculine plural nouveaux
(remplacé) new
⇒ Il me faut un nouveau pantalon. I need some new trousers.
⇒ Elle a une nouvelle voiture. She's got a new car.
(en plus) another
⇒ Il y eu un nouvel accident au carrefour. There's been another accident at the crossroads.
[élève] new
⇒ Il y a un nouvel élève dans ma classe. There's a new boy in my class.
(récent) new
⇒ C'est nouveau, essayez-le. It's new, try it.
(= original) [idée, solution] novel
neuf
neuf 2
(nœf ; nœv )
Word forms:neuve
adjective
(= non usagé) new
⇒ des chaussures neuves new shoes
(= nouveau) [regard, idées] new
From studying the definitions and examples, it appears the differences are contextual, i.e. dependant on what is being described.
Bonne chance.
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