Language/French/Grammar/Invariable-adjectives

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Adjective agreement with nouns — Invariable adjectives

In French grammar, adjective agreement is an important concept to grasp. Adjectives typically change their form to match the gender and number of the nouns they modify. However, some adjectives in French do not change in relation to either gender or number. These are called invariable adjectives.

What are Invariable Adjectives in French?[edit | edit source]

Invariable adjectives in French are adjectives that remain constant in their form, regardless of the gender or number of the noun they modify. While most French adjectives change their endings to agree with the nouns they describe, invariable adjectives do not change at all. As a result, they maintain the same form when modifying both singular and plural nouns, as well as masculine and feminine nouns.

Are Invariable Adjectives in French Actually Nouns Being Used Adjectivally?

There is some debate among linguists and language learners about whether invariable adjectives in French are truly adjectives or if they are nouns that are being used adjectivally. This debate arises because invariable adjectives often display characteristics of both nouns and adjectives, which can make it difficult to classify them definitively.

For example, invariable adjectives in French may function as adjectives because they describe or provide information about a noun. However, they may also resemble nouns because they do not change form according to the gender or number of the noun they modify, which is a key feature of adjectives in the French language.

Ultimately, whether or not invariable adjectives in French are considered true adjectives or nouns being used adjectivally depends on the specific criteria used to define adjectives and nouns. Some linguistic scholars may classify them as adjectives due to their descriptive function, while others may consider them nouns due to their invariable nature.

Examples of Invariable Adjectives in French[edit | edit source]

Let's take a look at a few examples of invariable adjectives in French:

Color adjectives:[edit | edit source]

Certain color adjectives like "marron" (brown) and "orange" (orange) remain invariable, regardless of the gender and number of the noun they modify. For example:

  • Un sac marron (A brown bag)
  • Une voiture marron (A brown car)
  • Des sacs marron (Brown bags)

Some adjectives of nationality or origin:[edit | edit source]

Adjectives like "breton" (Breton) and "alsacien" (Alsatian) are invariable when they refer to a language or a dish. For example:

  • Un gâteau breton (A Breton cake)
  • Des gâteaux breton (Breton cakes)

Compound adjectives:[edit | edit source]

Adjectives that are formed by combining two or more words often remain invariable. For example:

  • Un homme aux cheveux mi-longs (A man with medium-length hair)
  • Une femme aux cheveux mi-longs (A woman with medium-length hair)

Adjectives borrowed from other languages:[edit | edit source]

Some adjectives that have been borrowed from other languages, particularly English, often remain invariable in French. For example:

  • Un sweat-shirt rouge (A red sweatshirt)
  • Une robe rouge (A red dress)
  • Des sweat-shirts rouge (Red sweatshirts)

Invariable ordinal numbers:[edit | edit source]

Ordinal numbers like "premier" (first) and "deuxième" (second) are invariable when used to indicate the day of the month. For example:

  • Le premier janvier (January 1st)
  • Le deuxième février (February 2nd)

Adjectives related to certain proper nouns:[edit | edit source]

Some adjectives derived from proper nouns, such as names of cities or countries, can be invariable. For example:

  • Un vin de Bordeaux (A Bordeaux wine)
  • Des vins de Bordeaux (Bordeaux wines)

It is important to recognize and understand the role of invariable adjectives in French grammar. While these adjectives do not conform to the usual rules of agreement, they are still an integral part of the language. By familiarizing yourself with invariable adjectives and their usage, you can enhance your proficiency in French and improve your overall communication skills.

Examples[edit | edit source]

  • un pull marron

a brown pullover

  • une jupe marron

a brown skirt

  • des chaussures marron

brown shoes

  • un carton orange

an orange box

  • une voiture orange

an orange car

  • des rideaux orange

orange curtains

  • un chemisier crème

a cream blouse

  • une jupe crème

a cream skirt

  • des sous-vêtements crème

cream underwear

  • un lecteur de cassettes bon marché

a cheap cassette player

  • une planche à roulettes bon marché

a cheap skateboard

  • des fruits bon marché

cheap fruit

  • un pull cerise

a cherry pullover

  • une tapisserie cerise

cherry-coloured wallpaper

  • des uniformes cerise

cherry-coloured uniforms

French English
angora angora
baba flabbergasted
bath great
cucu twee
gaga nuts
gnagnan childish, immature
kaki khaki
pop pop
porno pornographic
riquiqui inadequate (too small, too poor etc. depending on context)
rococo rococo
snob snobbish
sympa friendly

The adjective "Chic"[edit | edit source]

Note that the adjective "chic" is invariable in terms of gender but agrees with the noun in number. The adjective "chic" maintains the same form regardless of the gender of the noun it modifies. However, it does change its form to agree with the number of the noun, whether singular or plural. This means that "chic" remains the same when describing both masculine and feminine nouns but adapts to the quantity of the items being described. Understanding this unique characteristic of "chic" can help you use it correctly in various contexts while speaking or writing in French.

  • un tailleur chic (a stylish suit)
  • une robe chic / des vêtements chics (an elegant dress / fashionable clothes)

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