Adjectives beau, nouveau, vieux have THREE forms in the singular.
Look at these cases:
C'est un vieux sac.It's an old bag.
C'est une vieille dame.She's an old lady.
C'est un vieil homme.He's an old man.
Here are all the forms:
| masc before cons. |
masc before vowel |
feminine |
meaning |
| beau |
bel |
belle |
good-looking/pretty/handsome |
| nouveau |
nouvel |
nouvelle |
new |
| vieux |
vieil |
vieille |
old |
| fou |
fol |
folle |
crazy/mad |
| mou |
mol* |
molle |
soft |
*very rare form
Cases of bel, nouvel, vieil,...
Il y a un bel arbre dans le jardin.There is a beautiful tree in the garden.
Il y a un nouvel hôtel dans ma rue.There's a new hotel on my street.
C'est un vieil oncle.He's an old uncle.
Note that the masculine form changes when it's followed by a noun starting with a vowel or mute h.
This 3rd form exists to ease pronunciation.
However, this rule only applies if the word after beau, nouveau, vieux... is a noun:
Il était beau hier.He was handsome yesterday.
Je suis nouveau ici.I'm new here.
Ce monument est très vieux aujourd'hui.This monument is very old nowawdays.
Here are more examples to listen to:
Regarde le beau verre !Look at the beautiful glass!
La belle fille rêve.The beautiful girl is dreaming.
Il y a un bel arbre dans le jardin.There is a beautiful tree in the garden.
J'aime le nouveau logo.I like the new logo.
J'ai une nouvelle voiture.I have a new car.
Le nouvel épisode est ce soir.The new episode is tonight.
Le projet d'Alain est fou.Alain's project is crazy.
C'est une folle aventure !It's a crazy adventure!
Il a un fol appétit !He has a crazy appetite!
Je préfère le caramel mou.I prefer soft caramel.
Il a une poignée de main molle.He has a limp handshake.
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