Language/French/Grammar/Beau-VS-Bel

Bonjour, Good morning,

In today's lesson, you will learn the difference between the adjectives "Bel" and "Beau".

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:

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

A beautiful bird

• Le violon est un bel instrument - un bel enfant - un bel appartement - un bel exemple. etc.

The violin is a beautiful instrument - a beautiful child - a beautiful apartment - a beautiful example. etc.

There is an exception when the noun starts with an "h".

Examples:

• Un bel hortensia - un bel hôtel - un bel hippodrome. etc.

A beautiful hydrangea - a beautiful hotel - a beautiful racecourse. etc.