plural: adjectives

The Plural of Qualifying Adjectives in French

In French, adjectives must agree in number with the noun they describe. This means if a noun is plural, the adjective must also be plural.

1. The General Rule

For most adjectives, you simply add an -s to the singular form. This -s is usually silent, so the pronunciation does not change.

• un livre bleu → des livres bleus (blue books)
• une jupe longue → des jupes longues (long skirts)

2. Adjectives Ending in -s or -x

If a masculine singular adjective already ends in -s or -x, it does not change in the plural form.

• un mur bas → des murs bas (low walls)
• un sourire doux → des sourires doux (sweet/soft smiles)

3. Adjectives Ending in -eau

Adjectives that end in -eau form their plural by adding an -x instead of an -s.

• un film nouveau → des films nouveaux (new movies)
• un frère jumeau → des frères jumeaux (twin brothers)

4. Adjectives Ending in -al

Most adjectives ending in -al change the ending to -aux in the masculine plural.

• national → nationaux (national)
• régional → régionaux (regional)

Important Exceptions: Some adjectives in -al follow the general rule and just add an -s. Common ones include:

• banal → banals
• fatal → fatals
• glacial → glacials
• naval → navals
• final → finals