French Adjectives as Nouns: Essential Guide

In French, certain adjectives can function as nouns, a concept known as "adjectifs substantivés" or "adjectifs nominalisés."

This linguistic feature allows for more concise and nuanced expression.

Let's explore how to use adjectives as nouns in French, with plenty of examples to help you grasp this concept.

Singular Nominal Adjectives

When using an adjective to replace a singular noun, you need either an antecedent or a modifier.

With an Antecedent

• Tu préfères le chemisier rouge ou le vert ? - Le rouge. (Do you prefer the red blouse or the green one? - The red one.)
• Entre le gâteau au chocolat et celui à la vanille, je choisis le chocolat. (Between the chocolate cake and the vanilla one, I choose the chocolate.)

With a Modifier

• Le bleu du ciel est magnifique aujourd'hui. (The blue of the sky is magnificent today.)
• Le plus rapide des deux coureurs a gagné la course. (The faster of the two runners won the race.)

Plural Nominal Adjectives

In French, most adjectives used as nouns to refer to groups of people take an 's' in the plural form. Here are some common examples:

• les riches (the rich)
• les pauvres (the poor)
• les jeunes (the young)
• les vieux (the elderly)
• les malades (the sick)
• les chômeurs (the unemployed)
• les sourds (the deaf)
• les aveugles (the blind)

Usage Examples

• Les riches devraient aider les pauvres. (The rich should help the poor.)
• Les jeunes d'aujourd'hui sont très technophiles. (Today's young people are very tech-savvy.)
• Il faut respecter les vieux et apprendre de leur expérience. (We must respect the elderly and learn from their experience.)

Nationalities and Ethnicities

Nationalities and ethnicities in French always take an 's' in plural form when used as nouns:

• les Français (the French)
• les Américains (Americans)
• les Chinois (the Chinese)
• les Africains (Africans)

Usage Examples

• Les Français adorent le fromage. (The French love cheese.)
• Les Américains célèbrent Thanksgiving en novembre. (Americans celebrate Thanksgiving in November.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don't forget the article: Always use 'le,' 'la,' or 'les' before the nominal adjective.
2. Gender agreement: Ensure the article matches the gender of the implied noun.
3. Plural form: Remember to add 's' to plural nominal adjectives in French, even if English doesn't.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding, try these exercises:

1. Translate: "The blue one is prettier than the red one."
2. Use a nominal adjective to say: "The unemployed need support."
3. Describe a group using a nationality as a noun.

At leçon.ai, we offer personalized exercises to help you master nominal adjectives and other French grammar concepts.

Our AI-powered platform adapts to your learning style, ensuring you progress efficiently in your French language journey.

Conclusion

Mastering nominal adjectives enhances your French expression. Practice regularly to internalize this concept.