Hopefully you already know that adjectives, or "describing words", usually come AFTER the noun [see Adjectives usually go AFTER nouns (adjective position)], and you also know these exceptions: Short and common adjectives that go BEFORE nouns (adjective position).
Here are other types of adjectives that are also placed BEFORE the noun:
1. Adjectives qualifying a proper noun (starting with a capital letter):
l'extraordinaire Marie Curie
the extraordinary Marie Curie
2. Numerical adjectives
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Micro kwiz: Other adjectives that go BEFORE nouns
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Paul
Kwiziq community member
3 October 2017
2 replies
Ancien
Can you please explain the usage of ancien when placed before or after a noun?
Ron
Kwiziq community member
3/10/17
Bonjour Paul,
The link below is for the lesson regarding «ancien» use before and after the noun it modifies.
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/my-languages/french/view/119
Here is the take-away from the lesson:
Before the noun, ancien means --> 'former' / 'ex-' / no longer
After the noun it means --> 'ancient' / 'old'
***** Note that the adjective ancien in the sense of "ancient" is not really used for people.
J'espère que ma réponse vous aiderait.
Bonne chance et bonne continuation dans vos études en français, la langue de Molière et qui a été utilisé par le monde français depuis l’époque d’Hugues Capet
The link below is for the lesson regarding «ancien» use before and after the noun it modifies.
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/my-languages/french/view/119
Here is the take-away from the lesson:
Before the noun, ancien means --> 'former' / 'ex-' / no longer
After the noun it means --> 'ancient' / 'old'
***** Note that the adjective ancien in the sense of "ancient" is not really used for people.
J'espère que ma réponse vous aiderait.
Bonne chance et bonne continuation dans vos études en français, la langue de Molière et qui a été utilisé par le monde français depuis l’époque d’Hugues Capet
Paul
Kwiziq community member
3/10/17
Merci Ron pour votre réponse. Paul.
Gruff
Kwiziq language super star
5/03/17
Hi Nancy, "le premier homme" is fine, but "L'homme premier" is incorrect.
Gruff
Kwiziq language super star
5/03/17
Hi Jacqueline - most adjectives go after the noun, so it's easiest to learn the exceptions and assume the rest go after. With weather, the obvious exception would be "un beau jour" (a fine/nice day).
However, you do need to be a little careful with weather expressions and descriptions as you often can't translate them word for word from the English. "A cold day" = "un jour froid" and "A cold and rainy day" = "un jour froid et pluvieux" but "a snowy day", would be "un jour de neige".
There will be many cases like that where a 'de' + noun is used instead of an adjective. "un jour de brouillard" (a foggy day).
If we are talking about the weather now, then we also have the "il y a" and "il fait" expressions:
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/talking-about-the-weather-expressions-with-il-y-a
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/talking-about-the-weather-expressions-with-il-fait
Notice that the "il fait" expressions use adjectives but the "il y a" expressions use preposition + noun.
Hope that helps.
However, you do need to be a little careful with weather expressions and descriptions as you often can't translate them word for word from the English. "A cold day" = "un jour froid" and "A cold and rainy day" = "un jour froid et pluvieux" but "a snowy day", would be "un jour de neige".
There will be many cases like that where a 'de' + noun is used instead of an adjective. "un jour de brouillard" (a foggy day).
If we are talking about the weather now, then we also have the "il y a" and "il fait" expressions:
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/talking-about-the-weather-expressions-with-il-y-a
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/talking-about-the-weather-expressions-with-il-fait
Notice that the "il fait" expressions use adjectives but the "il y a" expressions use preposition + noun.
Hope that helps.
G
Kwiziq community member
1 February 2018
3 replies
What about une chambre double ?
- I was marked wrong on the 'double' example because I was following this example.
Chris
Kwiziq community member
2 February 2018
2/02/18
-- Chris.
Chris
Kwiziq community member
2 February 2018
2/02/18
"Une chambre double" is a fixed term, used when you order a double room in a hotel.
"Une double chambre" is a room subdivided into two units, somehow.
-- I hope this helps, -- Chris.
G
Kwiziq community member
2 February 2018
2/02/18