French adjectives - important

[Antariksh Bothale]

I taught you that some French adjectives generally follow the nouns they qualify, except the BAGS Exception.

And of course, all non-descriptive adjectives precede the noun.

   Beauty
   Age
   Good and bad
   Size (except when using grand with people)

Eg.

Elle est une belle fille - She is a beautiful girl.

une jolie fille - pretty girl

un petit problème - small problem

C'est une petite histoire - It's a small story.

Une vielle maison - An old house

In all these, the adjective precedes the noun.

Je porte une chemise rouge - I am wearing a red shirt

C'est mon chanteur préferé - This is my favorite singer

Une femme indienne - Indian woman`

But, here's where comes the interesting part. Some adjectives change in meaning depending on whether they precede or follow a noun. A few examples from french.about.com

Figurative:  mes vertes années   my green (fruitful) years
Literal:  des légumes verts   green vegetables

Figurative:  un grand homme   a great man
Literal:  un homme grand   a tall man

Figurative:  un triste individu   a sad (mean or bad) person
Literal:  un individu triste   a sad (crying) person

Figurative:  mon ancienne école   my old (former) school
Literal:  mon école ancienne   my old (aged) school

Figurative:  un certain regard   a certain (type of) look
Literal:  une victoire certaine   a certain (assured) victory

[Antariksh Bothale]

Visit http://french.about.com/library/weekly/bl-fickleadjectives.htm?once=true& for a long list of such adjectives