Forming the feminine of adjectives ending in -c in French

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2022-12-14
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Masculine adjectives ending in -c do change in the feminine form.

The feminine form of adjectives ending in -c in French

Look at these examples:

Mon stylo blanc va avec ma jupe blanche.My white pen goes with my white skirt.

Un sourire franc est le signe d'une personne franche.A frank smile is the sign of a frank person.

Dans un jardin public, je vois une ovation publique.In a public garden, I see a public ovation.

Je connais un homme turc et une femme turque.I know a Turkish man and a Turkish woman.

Note that :

- If the -c is mute in the masculine form, then the feminine ends in -che. 

- If we hear the -c in the masculine form - i.e. a [k] sound - then the feminine becomes -que, to preserve the pronunciation.

ATTENTION: Each rule has its exceptions! 

- grec (Greek) keeps the c and adds que : grecque.

Je mange un yaourt grec dans une maison grecque.I eat a Greek yogurt in a Greek house.

- sec (dry): you do hear the -c in the masculine form, and yet its feminine is sèche.

Mon manteau est sec mais ma serviette n'est pas sèche.My coat is dry but my towel is not dry.

 

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Examples and resources

Mon stylo blanc va avec ma jupe blanche.My white pen goes with my white skirt.
Un sourire franc est le signe d'une personne franche.A frank smile is the sign of a frank person.
Mon manteau est sec mais ma serviette n'est pas sèche.My coat is dry but my towel is not dry.

exception

Dans un jardin public, je vois une ovation publique.In a public garden, I see a public ovation.
Je connais un homme turc et une femme turque.I know a Turkish man and a Turkish woman.
Je mange un yaourt grec dans une maison grecque.I eat a Greek yogurt in a Greek house.
Let me take a look at that...