Class Notes: French Adjective Vocabulary for Use with "Être"

Objective

To introduce French descriptive (adjective) vocabulary words commonly used with the verb "être" (to be), focusing on both masculine and feminine forms where necessary.

1. Key Concepts

• Verb Focus: Être (to be)
• Usage: These are descriptive words (adjectives) that pair with "être" to describe people or things in French.
• Gender in Adjectives: Many adjectives have both masculine and feminine forms; the feminine often adds an -e or changes spelling slightly.

2. Adjective List

| English | Masculine | Feminine | Notes | |--|-||| | Big | grand | grande | Add -e for feminine | | Small | petit | petite | Add -e for feminine | | Good | bon | bonne | Double the "n" + -e for feminine | | Bad | mauvais | mauvaise | Add -e for feminine | | Easy | facile | facile | Same for both | | Difficult | difficile | difficile | Same for both | | Handsome / Pretty| beau | belle | Feminine form is completely different | | Kind | gentil | gentille | Double "l" + -e for feminine | | Confident | confiant | confiante | Add -e for feminine | | Happy | content | contente | Add -e for feminine | | Funny | drôle | drôle | Same for both | | False/Wrong | faux | fausse | x → sse in feminine | | Strong | fort | forte | Add -e for feminine | | Young | jeune | jeune | Same for both | | Pretty | joli | jolie | Add -e for feminine | | Sick | malade | malade | Same for both | | Ugly | laid | laide | Add -e for feminine | | Nervous | nerveux | nerveuse | x → se + -e in feminine | | Outgoing (Open) | ouvert | ouverte | Add -e for feminine | | Lazy | paresseux | paresseuse | x → se + -e in feminine | | Sad | triste | triste | Same for both | | Old | vieux | vieille | x → ille in feminine | | Lively | vif | vive | f → ve in feminine | | True/Genuine | vrai | vraie | Add -e for feminine | | Shy | timide | timide | Same for both | | Calm/Quiet | calme | calme | Same for both |

3. Tips and Patterns

• Adjectives ending in a consonant often add -e to make them feminine.
• Some adjectives change more significantly in the feminine (e.g., beau → belle).
• Masculine singular often listed first in dictionaries.
• Practice describing people or celebrities to get comfortable using these words.

4. Practice Suggestions

• Try to use each new adjective with "être" in sentences (e.g., "Il est gentil." "Elle est vieille.")
• Practice both masculine and feminine forms where appropriate.
• Make a habit of describing people, characters, and things around you in French using these adjectives.

5. Additional Resources

• Listen to the Language Tutor French Podcast for more practice.
• Subscribe to the Language Tutor channel for ongoing lessons.

End Notes

• Leave questions in the comment section of the video.
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