French Faux Adjectives ~ Adjectifs occasionnels

In French, there are a number of words which are not actually adjectives but may be used as adjectives. These "faux adjectives" or "occasional adjectives" are always invariable - they do not agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. There are three different types of words that may be used as adjectives.


Adverbs used as adjectives

When adverbs are used as adjectives, they are invariable.

   C'est une femme bien - She's a nice woman

   Ils sont mal ce matin - They are sick this morning

   La porte avant est ouverte - The front door is open

There are only a few French adverbs that can be used as adjectives. If you know of any other adverbs used as adjectives, please let me know on the forum and I will add them here.

   allegro    allegro (quick, lively tempo)
   arrière    back, rear
   avant    front
   bien    nice, decent
   debout    standing, up
   incognito    incognito
   mal    wrong, bad, sick, uncomfortable


Nouns used as adjectives

When a French noun is used as an adjective, it is invariable.

   des mamans gâteau - soft/indulgent mothers

   les ID utilisateur - user IDs

   les services Web - internet services

   les câbles vidéo - video cables

   la porte sud - south door

In addition, noun clauses used as adjectives do not agree with the subject. However, any adjectives in the noun clause will follow the normal rules of agreement within the clause - they will agree with the noun.

   Ces livres sont bon marché - These books are cheap

   Cette table est meilleur marché - This table is cheaper

   Elle est très collet monté - She is very straight-laced

   Nous avons une porte à va-et-vient - We have a swing door

   Il est de bonne humeur - He's in a good mood


Prefixes used as adjectives

When used as adjectives, French prefixes do not agree with the nouns they modify.

   La fête va être extra ! - The party is going to be great!

   J'ai besoin d'une jupe maxi - I need a long skirt

   Tes frères sont super - Your brothers are great

There are five prefixes commonly used as adjectives, and they are usually informal:

   extra    great, first-rate, top-quality
   hyper    excessive, to very high degree
   maxi    maximum, long
   mini    small
   super    great, terrific