French Words to Know: Describing Words

Bienvenue, dear readers! Dive deep into the romantic language of French with me as we explore an essential aspect of any language – the adjectives, or as we call them in French, “les adjectifs.” Today, we’re diving into the realm of “describing words.”

Descriptive adjectives breathe life into conversations. They turn a simple “house” into a “huge, beautiful house,” and a “meal” into a “delicious, unforgettable meal.” Just as in English, knowing a plethora of adjectives in French can significantly enrich your vocabulary, making your conversations more vivid and detailed.

Let’s discover some essential French adjectives:

1. Beau/Belle (Bow/Bell) – Beautiful. For masculine and feminine forms respectively. E.g., “Un beau garçon” (a handsome boy) and “Une belle fille” (a beautiful girl).

2. Vieux/Vieille (Vyuh/Vye-yuh) – Old. Describing age, not old as in “previous” (which would be “ancien”). E.g., “Un vieux château” (an old castle).

3. Jeune (Jeuhn) – Young. E.g., “Elle est une jeune femme” (She is a young woman).

4. Grand/Grande (Grahn/Grahnd) – Tall or big, depending on the context. E.g., “Un grand homme” (a tall man) or “Une grande ville” (a big city).

5. Petit/Petite (Puh-tee/Puh-teet) – Small or short. E.g., “Un petit garçon” (a little boy) or “Une petite tasse” (a small cup).

6. Chaud/Chaude (Show/Showd) – Hot. E.g., “Une journée chaude” (a hot day).

7. Froid/Froide (Fwa/Fwahd) – Cold. E.g., “De l’eau froide” (cold water).

8. Lourd/Lourde (Loor/Loord) – Heavy. E.g., “Une valise lourde” (a heavy suitcase).

9. Léger/Légère (Lay-zhay/Lay-zhair) – Light. This word can describe weight or seriousness. E.g., “Un repas léger” (a light meal).

10. Coloré (Koh-lo-ray) – Colorful. E.g., “Un marché coloré” (a colorful market).

Now, it’s essential to remember that adjectives in French usually come after the noun they describe. But as with many rules, there are exceptions! Some adjectives, like ‘beau,’ ‘vieux,’ and ‘grand’ can come before the noun.

Moreover, French adjectives agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they describe.

For example, a “beautiful” woman and a “beautiful” man in French would be “belle femme” and “bel homme,” respectively.

In conclusion, French adjectives are more than just descriptors; they offer a window into the rich tapestry of Francophone culture.

They’re integral in expressing emotions, describing the world around us, and telling stories.

So, whether you’re planning a trip to a French-speaking country or just looking to impress at the next soirée, make sure to sprinkle your conversations with these colorful describing words.

Bonne chance et au revoir! 🇫🇷