Vrai(e) before/after noun

D. A.B2Kwiziq community member

Vrai(e) before/after noun

Why does "la vraie cuisine française" mean "real French cuisine"? Doesn't "vrai" mean "real/true" when it comes after the noun and "quite a/elaborate/interesting" when it comes after the noun?

Asked 4 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Riley,

Before the noun the meaning is more of an abstract sense whereas after the noun a concrete / descriptive sense.

So to talk about "real French Cuisine" would carry the sense of an air of all the expectations of that experience as personally wished for, maybe based upon previous trips to the country and feeling of authenticity / genuine. 

But after the noun the sense is of cuisine quite definite / true / exact / correct.  

It is not an easy concept to understand, but I hope my input may help.

Alan (Jim)

D. A.B2Kwiziq community member

That's a really helpful explanation, Jim. Thank you so much!

D. A. asked:

Vrai(e) before/after noun

Why does "la vraie cuisine française" mean "real French cuisine"? Doesn't "vrai" mean "real/true" when it comes after the noun and "quite a/elaborate/interesting" when it comes after the noun?

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