Nouveau and variations of NEW

New to you this word “NEW”?

As learners, we can all be forgiven for wondering which version of NEW in French we should choose.  It all seems so complicated at first. 

So let’s enjoy this simple mini-lesson when I straighten it all out in simple terms.  

•  What the difference is between ‘nouveau’ and ‘nouvelle’

•  All the variations made super easy

• How to know if it’s nouveau or neuf!

How do you translate new in French?

In French, you can translate new in 2 different ways. Indeed, we distinguish when something is new to you or completely brand new:

• nouveau >>> new
• neuf >>> brand new

In the next sections, you will see the nuances and some concrete examples.

2 translations for the word new in French.

As we have just mentioned, there are 2 translations of the word new.

First, if something is new to you (but doesn’t mean it’s brand new), you’ll say: nouveau.

• C’est un nouveau chapeau. >>> It’s a new hat.

Now, let’s imagine that you have just bought it or it was given to you and it’s brand new.

Therefore, you’ll say this:

• Il est tout neuf. >>> It’s brand new.

2 different forms of nouveau.

Since nouveau is an adjective, it requires an agreement with the following noun. 

In other words, you want to pay attention to the gender and the number. Note that with nouveau, the adjective is placed before the noun.

If it’s masculine:

• un nouveau chapeau >>> A new hat

If it’s feminine, it’s completely different:

• Une nouvelle voiture. >>> A new car

2 different forms of neuf.

The same applies to the French adjective neuf.

If it’s masculine, you’ll say this:

• un chapeau neuf. >>> A brand new hat.

Be sure to pronounce the final letter. Have you noticed that the adjective is AFTER the noun?

The feminine version is similar:

• une voiture neuve. >>> A brand new car.

Pay attention to this exception. 

For some masculine adjectives, another version exists when the following noun starts with a vowel or the letter h. And it’s the case of nouveau.

Let’s see some examples: 

• Un nouvel ami >>> A new friend.
• Un nouvel ordinateur >>> A new computer.

• Un nouvel hôtel >>> A new hotel.

Note that the pronunciation is exactly the same as the feminine nouvelle.

French adjectives require an agreement for the plural.

You have just seen that the adjectives change according to the gender. But it also varies according to the number. Here is what happens when it’s plural:

• nouveaux >>> new

The pronunciation is identical to the singular form.

With words starting with a vowel or h, be sure to make the liaison:

• Des nouveaux amis >>> Some new friends.

For the feminine, simply add an s:

• nouvelles >>> new

You will also pay attention to the liaison if it applies:

• Des nouvelles amies >>> Some new (female) friends.

Note that the adjective helps you here to identify the gender of the friends since ami and amie sounds exactly the same!

Different forms of brand new in French.

Let’s do the same with neuf and its plural versions. 

• neufs >>> brand new

In a full sentence, you have this: 

• Des téléphones neufs >>> brand new phones

For the feminine plural of neuf, you obtain this:

• neuves >>> brand new

In a full sentence, you have this: 

• Des robes neuves >>> brand new dresses

In conclusion, the translation of new in French indicates 2 nuances. First, if it’s new to you, you‘ll pick nouveau. Then, if it’s brand new, you’ll prefer neuf.

Since both of them are adjectives, they entail an agreement. 

The variations of nouveau are: nouvelle and nouvel for the gender and nouveaux and nouvelles for the plural.

As far as neuf is concerned, you can have neuve, neufs and neuves.

Don’t forget that nouveau and its variations are before the noun while for neuf, you will see them after the noun.

The following mini-lessons will help you with other nuances in French: 

How and when to choose MEILLEUR and MIEUX

BONJOUR or BONNE JOURNÉE: what’s the difference?

So, can you easily distinguish nouveau and neuf when you speak French?

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