In French, the main rule regarding the position of adjectives is that they usually come AFTER the noun, [see Adjectives usually go AFTER nouns (adjective position)], but as always in French, there are exceptions!
Here is a list of short and very common adjectives that go BEFORE the noun:
Masculine and feminine forms | English |
bon / bonne |
good |
mauvais / mauvaise |
bad |
beau / belle |
beautiful, handsome |
joli / jolie |
pretty |
vilain / vilaine |
ugly, nasty/naughty |
jeune |
young |
vieux / vieille |
old |
grand / grande |
big, tall |
petit / petite |
small, little |
gros / grosse |
big, fat |
faux / fausse |
false |
bref / brève |
brief, short |
long / longue |
long |
haut / haute |
high |
vaste |
vast |
nouveau / nouvelle |
new |
Here are some examples with these adjectives:
ATTENTION:
As stated in Adjectives usually go AFTER nouns (adjective position), these adjectives will be AFTER the noun if :
- used with a long adverb (2 or more syllables) :
- followed by a "complementary" group introduced by a preposition (à, de, pour, comme,...):
These are not the only exceptions placed BEFORE the noun they refer to - see the more advanced lesson: Other adjectives that go BEFORE nouns
See also how beau, vieux and nouveau are different: Beau, nouveau, vieux, fou, mou have two masculine forms and one feminine form and Beau, nouveau, vieux have different plural forms for masculine and feminine (adjectives)
See also Adjectives usually go AFTER nouns (adjective position)
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Braimap today »
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources

Tout blanc de neige blanche,
Un vieux monsieur s'avance, On the long path,
All white with white snow,
An old man advances,