Qualificatifs

Qualificatifs, or adjectifs qualificatifs in French grammar, are a class of words that express qualities or attributes of a noun. They describe color, size, origin, material, and other properties, and can convey subjective appraisal. Qualificatifs function as modifiers of nouns and must agree with the noun in gender and number.

Agreement and placement: In standard French, qualificatifs usually follow the noun: une voiture rouge, un homme intelligent. Some adjectives precede the noun when emphasis, brevity, or a conventional order is desired: un grand homme, une petite bête, un premier ministre. The position of a qualificatif can affect nuance and emphasis, and certain pairs show clear shifts in meaning depending on whether the adjective is before or after the noun.

Degrees of comparison and forms: Many qualificatifs have positive, comparative, and superlative forms (grand → plus grand → le plus grand; bon → meilleur → le meilleur). Some adjectives have irregular forms, and a few are invariable in gender or number. French also uses periphrasis such as plus + adjective for increased emphasis in many cases.

Types and special cases: Qualificatifs cover color, size, origin, material, and qualitative judgments (adjectifs d’opinion). Some adjectives change meaning when placed before versus after the noun, such as ancien (former) and pauvre (unfortunate versus financially poor). In syntax, qualificatifs can be attributive (modifying the noun directly) or predicative (following a linking verb, as in la voiture est rouge).

Usage and limits: Qualificatifs are a central tool for description and nuance in French, interacting with noun gender and number, adjective placement rules, and allowance for degrees of comparison. They are contrasted with determiners and other modifiers in grammatical studies.