Language/French/Grammar/Compound-adjectives-involving-demi—,-nu—-and-mi—

Compound adjectives — Compounds involving demi-, nu- and mi-

In combinations involving demi-, nu- and mi-, demi- and nu- are invariable before the noun, but agree when they follow it:

• une demi-heure but une heure et demie

a half-hour an hour and a half

• une demi-page une page et demie

a half-page a page and a half

• nu-tête sortir tête nue

bareheaded to go out without a hat

• nu-pieds sortir pieds nus

barefoot to go out barefooted

mi- can only occur before the noun and is invariable:

• à mi-temps

part-time (e.g. work)

• la mi-juin

halfway through June

• la mi-saison

middle season (Spring, Autumn)

• la mi-journée

the middle of the day

• mi-américain

half-American

• mi-clos

half-open, half-closed