Language/French/Grammar/Feminine-Form

French feminine nouns are generally formed as follows:

• 1. Adding '-e' at the masculine form : un ami => une amie (a friend).
• 2. Doubling the final consonant of the masculine word and adding 'e': un lion => une lionne (a lion).
• 3. Changing the ending '-er' by '-ère': l'écolier => l'écolière (the student).
• 4. Changing the ending '-eur' by '-euse': un voleur him => une voleuse (thief).
• 5. Changing the ending '-teur' by '-trice': directeur => directrice (director).
• 6. Using different words for masculine and feminine : un taureau => une vache (a bull = > a cow).

However, there are exceptions:

• 1. Masculine nouns ending with '-e' do not change: un èleve/une élève (a student)
• 2. Some nouns ending in '-e' become '-esse': le tigre / la tigresse (the tiger)
• 3. Some nouns ending in 'f', 'p' or 'x' make the final consonant in '-ve' or '-se': époux / épouse (husband / wife)