Forming the feminine of adjectives ending in -c in French

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE

Last updated: 2022-12-14

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Masculine adjectives ending in -c do change in the feminine form.

The feminine form of adjectives ending in -c in French

Look at these examples:

Mon stylo blanc va avec ma jupe blanche.My white pen goes with my white skirt.

Un sourire franc est le signe d'une personne franche.A frank smile is the sign of a frank person.

Dans un jardin public, je vois une ovation publique.In a public garden, I see a public ovation.

Je connais un homme turc et une femme turque.I know a Turkish man and a Turkish woman.

Note that :

- If the -c is mute in the masculine form, then the feminine ends in -che.

- If we hear the -c in the masculine form - i.e. a [k] sound - then the feminine becomes -que, to preserve the pronunciation.

ATTENTION: Each rule has its exceptions!

- grec (Greek) keeps the c and adds que : grecque.

Je mange un yaourt grec dans une maison grecque.I eat a Greek yogurt in a Greek house.

- sec (dry): you do hear the -c in the masculine form, and yet its feminine is sèche.

Mon manteau est sec mais ma serviette n'est pas sèche.My coat is dry but my towel is not dry.

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