Learn French with Podcasts: Exploring Adjectives in Balades Episode 1
Learning with Balades episode 1
Here at the French In Real Life project,
We believe listening is essential to unlocking fluency in French. Though I’m not a teacher, I’m excited to share a series on how I internalize podcast content to improve my French skills.
This will also let you tie in different words (adjectives in today’s post), but idioms, expressions, and other grammatical structures in future posts to actual spoken French. We’ll use clips on site from the Balades podcast episode 1 to do this.
Today we’re talking about Adjectives. A cornerstone in any language, without them we don’t get to any describing. And you’ll want to describe things, like saying at the boulangerie that you’d like that baguette dorée svp. Here are some adjectives that come up in the first episode of Balades.
Common Adjectives
première (first)
Find it in Balades episode 1:
“Je me rappelle que ma tante en France redoutait toujours la première journée de retour au travail en janvier après les fêtes.”
(I remember that my aunt in France always dreaded the first day back at work in January after the holidays.)
https://bitesizefrench.com/amuse-bouche/balades-ep-1-lesson-12/embed/#?secret=i3f2Ufvrpu#?secret=zUodscDHH2Hear the clip and take the transcription quiz with “première”
“Première” is the feminine form of “first,” used here to describe the first day back at work.The Ordinals up to 5 in French – do you know them all?
nouvelle (new)
Find it in Balades episode 1:
“Je vous présente mes meilleurs vœux de bonheur et de santé pour cette nouvelle année.”
“I wish you all the best for a happy and healthy New Year.”
https://bitesizefrench.com/amuse-bouche/balades-ep-1-lesson-1/embed/#?secret=Bp6NJWHDJl#?secret=iwvSjDtu57Hear the clip and take the transcription quiz with “nouveau”
Nouvelle or nouveau or …
The spelling change from “nouveau” to “nouvelle” is due to gender agreement. In French, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify.
“Nouvelle” is the feminine form of “new,” as in the above example from Balades, referring to the new year.
And for masculine nouns in the singular person: “nouveau”. For Example: un nouveau livre (a new book). When it’s modifying a feminine noun in the singular: “nouvelle”. For example: une nouvelle maison (a new house).
Oh and it gets more intersting. When modifying a singular, masculine noun and before a vowel sound or silent ‘H’, we drop the extra letters: “nouvel”. For example: un nouvel ami (a new friend).
For masculine plural nouns we write: “nouveaux”. As an example: de nouveaux livres (new books). And for modifying feminine plural nouns: “nouvelles”. For example: de nouvelles maisons (new houses).
Position of “nouveau” / “nouvelle”
Before the Noun: The adjective “nouveau” typically precedes the noun it modifies. This is a common characteristic of BANGS adjectives in French (Beauty, Age, Number, Goodness, Size). Example: une nouvelle année (a new year)
And sometimes, after the Noun: Although less common, “nouveau” can sometimes appear after the noun, particularly in poetic or literary contexts, but this usage is rare.
Example: l’année nouvelle (the new year – more poetic or formal)
Example: “Art Nouveau”. The well-established term in French that describes a style of art and design that was prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is known for its elegant, organic forms and its incorporation of natural elements into art, architecture, and everyday objects. The term remains in use today to describe items or architecture from that period or influenced by that style.
vaste (vast)
Find it in Balades episode 1:
“C’était une grande maison avec un très vaste jardin tout près de la Seine.”
“It was a big house with a very large garden very close to the Seine.”
https://bitesizefrench.com/amuse-bouche/balades-ep-1-lesson-25/embed/#?secret=hczDE9JIkz#?secret=Rn0Jr1OmoZHear the clip and take the transcription quiz with the adjective “vaste”
Explanation: “Vaste” means “vast,” describing the large size of the garden.
Meaning and Usages
Describing Physical Space: C’était une grande maison avec un très vaste jardin tout près de la Seine.” (“It was a big house with a very vast garden near the Seine.”) Here, “vaste” describes the large size of the garden.
Describing Abstract Concepts: “Il a une vaste connaissance en histoire.” (“He has a vast knowledge of history.”) Here, “vaste” is used to describe the extensive scope of his knowledge.
Describing Quantity or Extent: As in: “Le projet nécessite une vaste quantité de ressources.” (“The project requires a vast amount of resources.”) “Vaste” highlights the large quantity of resources needed.
What.. no changing endings?
“Vaste” does not change form based on gender or number. It remains the same whether it modifies a masculine, feminine, singular, or plural noun. Masculine Singular: “Un vaste jardin” (A vast garden) Feminine Singular: “Une vaste région” (A vast region) Masculine Plural: “De vastes projets” (Vast projects) Feminine Plural: “De vastes connaissances” (Vast knowledge)Hungry for more examples? Read more “vaste” usages…
grande (big, large)
Find it in Balades episode 1:
“Bien sûr, vous avez raison, mais quand on travaille dans une grande entreprise avec beaucoup d’employés, cela prend presque toute la matinée.”
“Of course, you’re right, but when you work in a large company with lots of employees, it takes most of the morning.”
https://bitesizefrench.com/amuse-bouche/balades-ep-1-lesson-13/embed/#?secret=wysOSuoY0W#?secret=3dEnIpzJ0BHear “grande” in this clip from Balades ep. 1 and remember to take the transcription quiz to practice your listening skills!
Explanation: “Grande” is the feminine form of “big” or “large,” describing the size of the house. This adjective can also be used as a descriptor for: Size or magnitutde, height, expressing importance or greatness, and indicating age or a stage of life.Read on for more examples not in this podcast:
beau (beautiful)
Listen for it in Balades episode 1:
“Non seulement, j’ai à nouveau un beau bureau bien rangé, où tout est à sa place…”
“Not only do I have a nice, tidy desk again, where everything is in its place…”
https://bitesizefrench.com/amuse-bouche/balades-ep-1-lesson-10/embed/#?secret=jfSQ2VyvV0#?secret=pg69wBD3PjHear “beau” in this clip from Balades ep. 1. Take the transcription quiz to hone your ear for catching it in context!
Explanation: “Beau” is the masculine form of “beautiful,” used to describe the neat and well-organized desk.
“Beau” is a common French adjective meaning “beautiful,” “handsome,” or “fine.” It is used to describe aesthetic qualities and can apply to people, places, objects, and more. “Beau” has various forms to agree with the gender and number of the noun it modifies. Additionally, “beau” can function as a noun in certain contexts.
“Beau,” “bel,” and “belle” are different forms of the same adjective in French, and they are used to ensure proper agreement with the gender and number of the noun they modify, as well as to facilitate pronunciation.
Forms of “beau”
- Masculine Singular: beau Example: un beau jardin (a beautiful garden)
- Masculine Singular Before a Vowel or Silent ‘H’: bel Example: un bel homme (a handsome man)
- Feminine Singular: belle Example: une belle maison (a beautiful house)
- Masculine Plural: beaux Example: de beaux jardins (beautiful gardens)
- Feminine Plural: belles Example: de belles fleurs (beautiful flowers)
Grammar and Agreement
- Gender and Number Agreement: “Beau” changes form to agree with the gender and number of the noun it modifies.
- Position in Sentence: “Beau” is typically placed before the noun it modifies.
Examples in Sentences
- Masculine Singular:
- Sentence: “Il a un beau sourire.” (He has a handsome smile.)
- Explanation: “Beau” modifies “sourire” (smile), which is masculine singular.
- Masculine Singular Before a Vowel:
- Sentence: “C’est un bel endroit.” (It’s a beautiful place.)
- Explanation: “Bel” is used instead of “beau” before a noun starting with a vowel sound.
- Feminine Singular:
- Sentence: “Elle porte une belle robe.” (She is wearing a beautiful dress.)
- Explanation: “Belle” modifies “robe” (dress), which is feminine singular.
- Masculine Plural:
- Sentence: “Les beaux jours arrivent.” (The beautiful days are coming.)
- Explanation: “Beaux” modifies “jours” (days), which is masculine plural.
- Feminine Plural:
- Sentence: “Elles ont de belles voix.” (They have beautiful voices.)
- Explanation: “Belles” modifies “voix” (voices), which is feminine plural.
You gotta be kidding me, “beau” can be a noun, too?
propre (clean)
Listen for it in Balades episode 1:
“Une fois que tout était bien propre, on remettait les nénuphars et commençait à remplir à nouveau le bassin.”
“Once everything was nice and clean, we’d put the water lilies back and start filling the pond again.”
https://bitesizefrench.com/amuse-bouche/balades-ep-1-lesson-35/embed/#?secret=tlsEShWYmL#?secret=HTjvzWqs0MHear “propre” in this clip from Balades episode 1 and take the transcription quiz to make sure you catch it!
Explanation: “Propre” means “clean,” describing the state of the pond after cleaning.
Position Matters:
The meaning of “propre” changes significantly depending on whether it precedes or follows the noun.
Before the Noun: Indicates possession or belonging. Example: “C’est ma propre décision.” (It’s my own decision.) And after the Noun it can indicates cleanliness or neatness. Example: “La salle est propre.” (The room is clean.)
Usage in Different Contexts:
Around the home, it’s often used to describe the cleanliness of a place or object. Example: “Les enfants doivent garder leurs chambres propres.” (The children must keep their rooms clean.)
For personal possessions: We use “propre” to emphasize personal ownership. Example: “Elle a écrit son propre livre.” (She wrote her own book.)
Formal and Informal Settings:
“Propre” can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, it often emphasizes personal achievement or individual possession. Example: “Chaque élève a sa propre méthode d’étude.” (Each student has their own study method.) In informal settings, it’s commonly used to talk about cleanliness. Example: “Peux-tu nettoyer ta propre assiette?” (Can you clean your own plate?)Read on for different endings and even more contextual examples:
More challenging Adjectives
mielleux (sweet)
Listen for it in Balades episode 1:
“Un sourire mielleux sur les lèvres.”
“A cheesy smile on their lips.”
When describing someone, overly sweet, often (perceived as) insincere
“Mielleux” often implies that the sweetness is excessive and that it lacks authenticity. It is typically used to describe attitudes, behaviors, or expressions that are intended to charm or flatter but come off as insincere.
It’s commonly used to describe interactions where someone is being overly flattering or ingratiating. Example: “Son comportement mielleux a fini par agacer tout le monde.” (His smarmy behavior eventually annoyed everyone.)
Use it to paint a vivid picture of someone’s insincere behavior or speech. Example: “Elle a répondu avec une voix mielleuse qui sonnait faux.” (She responded with a saccharine voice that sounded fake.)
Some Synonyms: Hypocrite (Hypocritical): Example: “Il est hypocrite et mielleux.” (He is hypocritical and smarmy.) Flatteur/Flatteuse (Flattering, Insincerely Flattering): Example: “Ses paroles flatteuses et mielleuses étaient difficiles à croire.” (His flattering and smarmy words were hard to believe.) Douceâtre (Sickly Sweet): Example: “Son sourire douceâtre était tout sauf sincère.” (His sickly sweet smile was anything but sincere.)
“Mielleux” is an expressive French adjective used to describe someone or something that is overly sweet in an insincere or ingratiating way. It can refer to both literal qualities (reminiscent of honey) and figurative attributes (smarmy or saccharine behavior). Understanding its nuances and usage will help you accurately describe behaviors and expressions that are excessively and often annoyingly sweet.Dive into endings and agreement and more examples:
léger (light)
Listen for it in Balades episode 1:
“C’est donc avec le cœur léger et l’esprit libéré que je commence cette nouvelle année.”
“So it is with a light heart and a liberated mind that I begin this new year.”
Balades ep. 1, Quiz 11: avec le cœur léger et l’esprit libéré
https://bitesizefrench.com/amuse-bouche/balades-ep-1-lesson-11/embed/#?secret=ori4vCDAZT#?secret=FTQWdIk1rhHear “léger” in this clip from Balades episode 1 and take the transcription quiz to improve your French listening skills!
In Context
Describes a feeling of lightness and freedom, both physically and emotionally.
Physical Lightness (Light in Weight): Meaning: Used to describe something that is not heavy. Example: “Un sac léger” (A light bag) Explanation: Describes the bag as not heavy.
Use it to describe something that is not intense or severe. A figurative lightness as in slight or gentle. Example: “Un léger vent” (A gentle breeze)
Use it to describe something minor or insignificant. Example: “Une légère différence” (A slight difference)
That feeling of being lighthearted or carefree: Example: “Il se sent léger après ses vacances.” (He feels light after his vacation.)
Common Phrases
“Léger comme une plume” (Light as a feather)Example: “Ce coussin est léger comme une plume.” (This cushion is light as a feather.)
“Prendre à la légère” (To take lightly): As in to not take something seriously. Example: “Il ne faut pas prendre cette situation à la légère.” (One should not take this situation lightly.)Dive into agreement and placement and more examples of usage
libéré (liberated)
Listen for it in Balades episode 1 in the same clip as above:
“C’est donc avec le cœur léger et l’esprit libéré que je commence cette nouvelle année.”
“So it is with a light heart and a liberated mind that I begin this new year.”
Balades ep. 1, Quiz 11: avec le cœur léger et l’esprit libéré
https://bitesizefrench.com/amuse-bouche/balades-ep-1-lesson-11/embed/#?secret=ori4vCDAZT#?secret=FTQWdIk1rhThe same clip as the previous adjective: “léger”, hear “libéré” in this clip from Balades episode 1 and take the transcription quiz to improve your French listening skills!
Context
This adjective conveys a sense of liberation, being free from worries or burdens.
While derived from the verb “libérer,” its use here is as an adjective not the past participle that it can be in other contexts. There are no helper verbs to make it a past participle and this directly modifies the masculine noun “l’esprit”. It can describe both literal and figurative states of being freed from physical, emotional, or situational constraints.
Literal Meaning (Freed from Physical Constraint): Describe someone or something that has been set free from physical confinement or restriction. Example: “Le prisonnier a été libéré.” (The prisoner was freed.)
Figurative Meaning (Freed from Emotional or Situational Constraint): Describe a state of being free from emotional burdens, obligations, or restrictions. Example: “Elle se sent libérée après la fin de son contrat.” (She feels liberated after the end of her contract.)
A useful idiom from this adjective
“Se sentir libéré(e) comme un oiseau”: To feel as free as a bird. Example: “Après ses examens, il se sent libéré comme un oiseau.” (After his exams, he feels as free as a bird.)Read more for agreement and many more contextual examples:
mal luné (in a bad mood)
Listen for it in Balades episode 1:
“Non, il y a aussi le chef qui en temps normal s’enferme toujours mal luné dans son bureau.”
“No, there’s also the boss, who normally locks himself in his office in a bad mood.”
Contextual Explanation: Refers to being in a bad mood, combining “mal” (bad) with “luné” (mood-related term).
Idiomatic Expression: “Mal luné” is an idiomatic expression meaning (being in a bad mood).
Origins and Etymology
- Lune (Moon):
- Meaning: The French word “lune” means “moon.”
- Etymology: The expression “mal luné” comes from an old belief that one’s mood could be influenced by the phases of the moon. If someone was “badly mooned” (mal luné), it was believed that the moon’s influence was negative, causing them to be in a bad mood.
- Luné:
- Meaning: The term “luné” is derived from “lune” and is used in this idiomatic expression to describe a state influenced by the moon.
- Context: While “luné” itself is not commonly used outside of this expression, “mal luné” has become a standard way to describe someone who is grumpy or in a bad mood.
Usage of “Mal Luné”
Describing Mood:
- Masculine Singular: mal luné
- Example: “Il est mal luné aujourd’hui.” (He is in a bad mood today.)
- Feminine Singular: mal lunée
- Example: “Elle est mal lunée ce matin.” (She is in a bad mood this morning.)
- Masculine Plural: mal lunés
- Example: “Ils sont mal lunés après la réunion.” (They are in a bad mood after the meeting.)
- Feminine Plural: mal lunées
- Example: “Les filles sont mal lunées aujourd’hui.” (The girls are in a bad mood today.)
heureux (happy)
- Sentence: “Tous font la ronde et vous souhaitent une bonne et heureuse année un sourire mielleux sur les lèvres.”
https://bitesizefrench.com/amuse-bouche/balades-ep-1-lesson-15/embed/#?secret=wTgDA63mBc#?secret=ZnaxCrlFHIListen for heureux and take the transcription quiz in this clip from Balades episode 1
“Heureux” is a French adjective meaning “happy” or “fortunate.” It is used to describe a state of happiness, contentment, or good fortune. Here’s a detailed look at its usage, forms, and nuances:
Forms of “Heureux”
Masculine Singular: heureux Example: “Il est très heureux.” (He is very happy.)
Feminine Singular: heureuse Example: “Elle est très heureuse.” (She is very happy.)
Masculine Plural: heureux Example: “Ils sont très heureux.” (They are very happy.)
Feminine Plural: heureuses Example: “Elles sont très heureuses.” (They are very happy.)
Grammar and Agreement
“Heureux” changes form to agree with the gender and number of the noun it modifies.
Masculine Singular: heureux Example: “Un homme heureux.” (A happy man.)
Feminine Singular: heureuse Example: “Une femme heureuse.” (A happy woman.)
Masculine Plural: heureux Example: “Des hommes heureux.” (Happy men.)
Feminine Plural: heureuses Example: “Des femmes heureuses.” (Happy women.)
Common Expressions
Être heureux de”: To be happy about. Example: “Je suis heureux de te rencontrer.” (I am happy to meet you.)
“Heureux comme un poisson dans l’eau”: As happy as a clam (literally: as happy as a fish in water). Example: “Il est heureux comme un poisson dans l’eau dans sa nouvelle maison.” (He is as happy as a clam in his new home.)
“Vivre heureux”: To live happily. Example: “Ils vécurent heureux jusqu’à la fin de leurs jours.” (They lived happily ever after.)
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Make it stick
This was a quick look at some common and less common adjectives, please share below what is opening up from it!
Using a podcast to learn French always starts with listening. Hear what you already know and listen for what’s new. Then dive deep into the words that are new and start fresh.
By using our short clips and transcription quizzes, you’ll amaze yourself by what you can pick up.
Adjectives remain an essential part of the language, and French makes them tricky with agreement, number, and idioms… but it’s not out of reach. Listen and stay curious!
