Forming the feminine of adjectives ending in -f in French

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE

Last updated: 2022-09-22

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In French, adjectives ending in -f have a specific feminine form.

The feminine form of adjectives ending in -f in French

Look at these adjectives:

Pour Noël, j'ai eu un vélo neuf et une poupée neuve.For Christmas, I got a new bike and a new doll.

J'ai un frère créatif et une soeur créative.I've got a creative brother and a creative sister.

Dorian est actif mais Adèle n'est pas active.Dorian is active but Adèle is not active.

Mon oncle est sportif et ma tante est sportive aussi.My uncle is sporty and my aunt is sporty too.

J'ai un neveu vif et une nièce vive.I've got a lively nephew and a lively niece.

In French, adjectives ending in -f become -ve in the feminine form.

Attention:

Bref takes an accent (brève) as well as the -ve ending in the feminine:

Ce livre est assez bref. Cette lettre est brève aussi.This book is quite brief. This letter is brief too.

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