"traditionnelle" before or after noun?

Joakim R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

"traditionnelle" before or after noun?

In a writing challenge, a correct answer was "et nous avons fini avec la traditionnelle bûche de Noël". Googling, I find things like "Musée du Costume Traditionnel" and many more example where this adjective comes after the noun. So why is it before the noun in the writing challenge?
Asked 7 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer
Bonjour Joakim !

Here it's the case we've discussed before, when adjectives can be before or after the noun.
-> "after is in a more objective sense, as in plain characteristic, whereas before takes a subjective connotation, emotion, opinion etc."
In this case, the colloquial usage tends to be "la traditionnelle bûche de Noël" rather than "la bûche de Noël traditionnelle".
The first case feels a bit more emphatic, whereas the second case is more matter-of-factly.
I would use the second one when explaining how to make it for example:
- The traditional Yule log is made of... -> "La bûche de Noël traditionnelle est faite à partir de..."
but I would say: "Voilà la traditionnelle bûche de Noël !"

I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Joakim R. asked:

"traditionnelle" before or after noun?

In a writing challenge, a correct answer was "et nous avons fini avec la traditionnelle bûche de Noël". Googling, I find things like "Musée du Costume Traditionnel" and many more example where this adjective comes after the noun. So why is it before the noun in the writing challenge?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
I'll be right with you...