Adjectives usually are placed after the noun they modify. There is a short
list of adjectives that typically are placed before the noun. Most are short,
one or two syllable words.
autre
another
haut
high
beau
beautiful
joli
pretty
bref
brief
mauvais
bad, evil
bon
good
nouveau
new
double
double
petit
small
faux
false
vaste
vast
grand
large
vieux
old
gros
fat
une belle montagne
le mauvais Dr Villard
la petite bombe.
a beautiful mountain
the evil Dr. Villard
the small bomb
There are other adjectives which can come before or after a noun. When
placed before a noun they typically take on a more figurative meaning.
L' homme pauvre
a man poor in respect to money
Le pauvre homme
a man that is unfortunate or deserving of pity
un ancien président
a former president.
un président ancien
an old president
ma chère mère
my dear mother
un légume cher
an expensive vegetable
un grand peintre
a great painter
un peintre grand
a tall painter
ma propre cuisine
my own kitchen
ma cuisine propre
my clean kitchen
Il est la seule personne qui a terminé la course .
He is the only person that finished the race.
Un homme seul ne peut pas sauver le monde. Nous devons
le faire ensemble.
A single man cannot save the world. We must
do it together.