Language/French/Grammar/Beau-VS-Bel

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When to use "beau" and "bel" in French?
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Bonjour and good morning! In today's lesson, we'll be exploring the difference between the two French adjectives "Bel" and "Beau". While they may sound similar, they are actually used in different contexts and have distinct meanings.

In this lesson, we'll cover the basic rule for using "Bel" and "Beau", as well as provide detailed examples and practice exercises to help you master these adjectives. We'll also look at examples of using these adjectives with nouns starting with a silent "h".

So, get ready to take your French language skills to the next level by learning the difference between "Bel" and "Beau". Let's dive in!

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Possessive determiners, Omission of the article, Compound nouns & Masculine and feminine forms of adjectives — A change in written and spoken French.


Bel and Beau both mean "beautiful".

Rule[edit | edit source]

Here is the rule:

The adjective "Beau" (singular masculine) becomes "Bel" when the noun (singular masculine) to which it refers starts with a vowel or a silent "h".

Examples[edit | edit source]

Detailed example[edit | edit source]

The plural of beau stays unchanged while becoming plural: "les 'beaux' arts" or "l'Ecole des 'Beaux' Arts de Paris".

The plural of (beaux) stays unchanged when qualifying a plural noun here, 'arts'.

  • "l'Ecole des 'Beaux' Arts de Paris".

But if art was singular, it's 'bel' that would has been used.

  • "Quel 'bel' art !"

Other examples[edit | edit source]

  • "Un bel oiseau" NOT "un beau oiseau".

A beautiful bird

  • Le violon est un bel instrument

The violin is a beautiful instrument

  • un bel enfant

a beautiful child

  • un bel appartement

a beautiful apartment

  • un bel exemple

a beautiful example

Examples with the noun starting with a silient "h"[edit | edit source]

  • Un bel hortensia

A beautiful hydrangea

  • un bel hôtel

A beautiful hotel

  • un bel hippodrome.

A beautiful racecourse

Videos[edit | edit source]

beau ou bel[edit | edit source]

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

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