Agreement & Position
In French, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify, and their position—before or after the noun—can change meaning or emphasis. This guide goes over the key rules for agreement and typical placement so you can make your descriptions precise and natural.
Agreement
Adjectives agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun they describe: add endings as needed so the adjective matches the noun exactly. This agreement affects meaning and makes your French clear and idiomatic.
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌸 La jupe est rose et légère. | The skirt is pink and light. |
| 🧥 Le manteau bleu est très chaud. | The blue coat is very warm. |
| 👗 Les robes rouges flottent au vent. | The red dresses float in the wind. |
| 🧣 Les écharpes colorées ajoutent du style. | The colorful scarves add style. |
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Position
Most adjectives go after the noun in French, but a common set of short, frequent adjectives—often remembered by mnemonic—appear before the noun and can change meaning when moved. Pay attention to whether an adjective is typically belle or belle or ancien to place it correctly.
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 👒 Le chapeau noir est élégant. | The black hat is elegant. |
| 👜 Le sac rouge est sur la chaise. | The red bag is on the chair. |
| 🌼 Une jolie fleur blanche orne la robe. | A pretty white flower decorates the dress. |
| 🚪 Une veste légère est accrochée à la porte. | A light jacket is hanging on the door. |
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Adjectives That Change Meaning
Some adjectives change their meaning depending on whether they come before or after the noun: placing an adjective before the noun can make it figurative while placing it after keeps it literal. Learn a few key examples so you can use these nuances to your advantage.
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Agreement with Adjectives in -eux / -eur
Adjectives ending in -eux or -eur often have distinct feminine forms like -euse or -rice, so you must change the ending—not just add an -e—to agree properly when the noun is feminine. These patterns are systematic and worth memorizing for precise description.
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Agreement with Numbers and Expressions
Adjectives that follow plural expressions agree in number, and when an adjective modifies a measured amount or fraction, it sometimes stays singular: agreement can depend on whether the adjective describes the noun directly or the quantity. Pay attention to these subtleties in contexts like un kilo de pommes mûres.
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Agreement with Compound Nouns
When an adjective modifies a compound noun, agreement depends on which part the adjective describes: if the adjective relates to the whole compound, it may stay singular, but if it applies to a component that is plural, the adjective agrees accordingly. Analyze the structure to decide.
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Adjective Placement for Emphasis
Moving an adjective to the front or back of the noun can add emphasis or change tone: placing an adjective after the noun highlights it, while putting it before can make the phrase more general or customary. Writers use placement strategically to guide the reader's attention.
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Summary
French adjectives must agree in gender and number with their nouns, and their position—before or after the noun—affects meaning and emphasis. Learn which adjectives go before the noun, memorize key adjectives that change meaning with placement, and practice endings for feminine and plural forms to make your descriptions precise and natural.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025