French Adjectives - Agreement in Number and Gender

French adjectives can change their forms depending on whether the nouns they describe are masculine or feminine, singular or plural. Usually the feminine form adds “e” to the masculine adjective. This can change the pronunciation of the adjective by causing the final consonant to be pronounced.


Eg.: The dog is small.
     ms Le chien est petit. (puh-TEE)

The mouse is small.
     fs La souris est petite. (puh-TEET)


The plural form adds “s.” This “s” is almost never pronounced.

Eg.: The dogs are small.
     mp Les chiens sont petits. (puh-TEE)

The mice are small.
     fp Les souris sont petites. (puh-TEET)

In English, the adjective doesn't change,but in French it must agree in number (singular or plural) and in gender (masculine or feminine) with the noun that it is describing. Remember this when you are using any French adjective, especially colour words.

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Visit Nallenart for more information about our French curriculum for grades K-9.

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Months of the Year

The French months of the year are very similar to the English months. Notice that the last four months are almost exactly like English.

We get the names of our months from the Roman calendar. Originally the first month was March, mars in French, named after Mars, the Roman god of war, who was important in such an imperialistic culture. The theory was that if you are planning to take over the world, you need to keep the war-god happy. September was then the seventh month, like the French number sept from the Latin septem for seven, October was then the eighth month, from the Latin octo for eight, November was then the ninth month, like the French number neuf from the Latin novem for nine, and December was then the tenth month, like the French number dix from the Latin decem for ten.

Learn the French months of the year:

janvier (zhahn**-VYAY) - January
février (fay-vree-YAY) - February
mars (MARS*) - March
avril (av-RIL) - April
mai (MAY) - May
juin (ZWUHn**) - June
juillet (zhwee-YEH**) - July
août (OO) - August
septembre (sep-TAHn-bruh) - September
octobre (ahk-TAH-bruh) - October
novembre (noh-VAHn-bruh) - November
décembre (day-SAHn-bruh) - December

* - pronounce this s like "s" not "z."
** - zh is pronounced like "s" in usual or "g" in beige

(Please note that the guides to pronunciation only give a rough idea of what things really sound like in French. Listen to the podcast to hear the correct pronunciation.)

Visit our sponsor Nallenart for French curriculum and teaching aids.
http://www.nallenart.on.ca/

Numbers One to Twelve

Today's lesson is about counting to twelve. Practice saying the French numbers.

(Please note that the guides to pronunciation only give a rough idea of what things really sound like in French. Listen to the podcast to hear the correct pronunciation.)

1 = un (UHn), une (UN)

2 = deux (DEUH)

3 = trois (TRWAH)

4 = quatre (KA-truh)

5 = cinq (SEHnK)

6 = six (SEES)

7 = sept (SET)

8 = huit (u-EET)

9 = neuf (NEUF)

10 = dix (DEES)

11 = onze (OHnZ)

12 = douze (DOOZ)

It's great to learn to count to twelve in French, but you also need to practice your numbers out of order or randomly. Here are some ideas to help you practice your numbers.

1. Write the numbers on small pieces of paper. Put them in a hat or a box and pull them out one at a time and say them out loud.

2. Use a pair of dice. Roll the dice and say the numbers that appear on each die and on the pair together.

3. Concentration: Make two cards with each number on them. Shuffle them to mix them up well. Lay them in rows face down on the table. Turn them over two at a time to try to find matching pairs.

4. Use your number cards to play Go Fish with a friend. Start with five cards each. See How many pairs of numbers you can collect.

5. Take an inventory of your fridge or pantry. How many eggs, apples, or bananas can you count? Count everything you can in French!

6. Use your number cards as flashcards. Shuffle and practice saying the numbers out loud.

7. Play a counting game like Sorry. Count in French.

These are just a few ideas to help you to learn your numbers one to twelve in French.

Visit our sponsor Nallenart for French curriculum and teaching aids.

http://www.nallenart.on.ca/