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Learning French adjectives is essential for describing the world around you and expressing yourself fully in French. This guide presents 2000 commonly used French adjectives in context, helping you understand not only their meanings but also their proper usage in everyday situations.
Why Focus on Adjectives in Context?
French adjectives can be challenging for English speakers for several reasons:
Agreement Rules: Unlike in English, French adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. Seeing them in complete sentences helps reinforce these agreement patterns.
Position in Sentences: While most French adjectives come after the noun, some common ones precede it. Learning adjectives through example sentences helps you internalize these placement rules naturally.
Subtle Meaning Changes: Some French adjectives change meaning depending on their position relative to the noun. For example, "un grand homme" (a great man) versus "un homme grand" (a tall man).
How to Use This Guide
Each entry in this collection includes:
The French adjective in its basic (masculine singular) form
Its English translation(s)
Four example sentences showcasing different forms (masculine/feminine, singular/plural)
Notes on any irregular forms or special usage rules
Common expressions and idioms using the adjective
Special Features
This guide organizes adjectives into thematic categories including:
Physical descriptions
Personality traits
Emotions and feelings
Size and quantity
Colors and appearances
Time and frequency
Quality and value
Sensory descriptions
Tips for Effective Learning
Start with the most common adjectives in each category
Practice both speaking and writing the example sentences
Create your own sentences using the patterns provided
Pay special attention to irregular forms and exceptions
Review related adjectives together to build your vocabulary systematically
Grammar Essentials
Before diving into the examples, remember these key rules for French adjectives:
Basic Agreement:
Add -e for feminine
Add -s for plural
Add -es for feminine plural
Common Irregular Patterns:
Adjectives ending in -eux change to -euse in feminine form
Those ending in -f change to -ve
Those ending in -er change to -ère
Let's begin our journey through the rich world of French adjectives, one descriptive sentence at a time.