Propre = own/clean (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position)

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In French, certain adjectives change their meanings depending if they appear before or after the noun.

The French adjective propre changes meaning according to its position

Look at these uses of propre:

Mon propre véloMy own bike

Mon vélo propreMy clean bike

Before the noun, propre means 'own', but after the noun it means 'clean'.

 

NB: generally adjectives appear after the noun, but some very common adjectives go before.

 

See also: 

Ancien = former/old (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position) 

Cher= dear/expensive (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position) 

Certain = specific / sure in French (adjectives that change meaning according to position) 

Dernier = final/previous (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position)

Vrai = real/true (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position)

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Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Mon propre véloMy own bike
Mon vélo propreMy clean bike
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