In French, nouns and adjectives are categorized by gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). The rules for forming and using masculine and feminine forms, as well as singular and plural forms, are essential for proper grammar. Here’s a detailed breakdown with charts:
1. Gender (Masculine and Feminine)
French nouns are either masculine or feminine, and adjectives must agree in gender with the nouns they describe.
Masculine and Feminine Endings:
| Masculine Ending | Feminine Ending | Example (Masculine) | Example (Feminine) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -eau, -ou, -ier, -in | -euse, -ie, -ine | le bureau (the office) | la bureau (the office) |
| -eur | -euse | le chanteur (the singer) | la chanteuse (the singer) |
| -ant | -ante | le géant (the giant) | la géante (the giant) |
| -ien | -ienne | le médecin (the doctor) | la médecin (the doctor) |
2. Singular and Plural Forms
General Rules:
- Singular to Plural:
- For most nouns and adjectives, add -s to form the plural.
- le livre (the book) → les livres (the books)
- For nouns ending in -au, -eu, or -ou, add -x.
- le bateau (the boat) → les bateaux (the boats)
- For nouns ending in -al, change -al to -aux.
- le journal (the newspaper) → les journaux (the newspapers)
- For most nouns and adjectives, add -s to form the plural.
Chart for Singular and Plural Forms:
| Singular Form | Plural Form | Example (Singular) | Example (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -s | -s | le chat (the cat) | les chats (the cats) |
| -au, -eu, -ou | -x | le bijou (the jewel) | les bijoux (the jewels) |
| -al | -aux | le cheval (the horse) | les chevaux (the horses) |
3. Agreement Rules for Adjectives
- Masculine Singular: Adjectives generally remain in their base form.
- un livre intéressant (an interesting book)
- Feminine Singular: Add -e to most adjectives.
- une histoire intéressante (an interesting story)
- Masculine Plural: Add -s.
- des livres intéressants (interesting books)
- Feminine Plural: Add -es.
- des histoires intéressantes (interesting stories)
Chart for Adjective Agreement:
| Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| -intéressant | -intéressante | -intéressants | -intéressantes |
| -grand | -grande | -grands | -grandes |
| -beau | -belle | -beaux | -belles |
Examples:
- Masculine Singular: un homme intelligent (a smart man)
- Feminine Singular: une femme intelligente (a smart woman)
- Masculine Plural: des hommes intelligents (smart men)
- Feminine Plural: des femmes intelligentes (smart women)
Summary
- Masculine/Feminine: French nouns and adjectives must agree in gender.
- Singular/Plural: Form plurals by adding -s, -x, or -aux depending on the ending of the noun.
- Agreement: Adjectives agree in gender and number with the nouns they describe.