The interrogative adjective

In French, the interrogative adjective is used to ask a question about the nature or identity of a noun. It always agrees in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun it accompanies.

1. The Four Forms of the Interrogative Adjective

The basic form is quel. Although the pronunciation remains the same in the singular and plural, the spelling changes depending on the noun.

2. Use and Agreement

The interrogative adjective is generally placed at the beginning of the question.

• Masculine singular (Quel):
  • Example: Quel livre tu lis ? / Quel est ton nom ?
• Feminine singular (Quelle):
  • Example: Quelle heure est-il ? / Quelle est ta nationalité ?
• Masculine plural (Quels):
  • Example: Quels sports tu pratiques ? / Quels sont tes loisirs ?
• Feminine plural (Quelles):
  • Example: Quelles langues tu parles ? / Quelles sont tes fleurs préférées ?

3. The Two Main Structures

We use the interrogative adjective in two very common constructions:

1. Directly before the noun:
   • Structure: Quel(s) / Quelle(s) + noun + verb… ?
   • Example: Quel âge as-tu ?
2. Before the verb être:
   • Structure: Quel(s) / Quelle(s) + verb être + article + noun… ?
   • Example: Quelle est ta date de naissance ?

4. Note: Exclamation!

The same forms (quel, quelle, quels, quelles) are also used to express admiration, surprise, or emotion. They are then called exclamative adjectives.

• Examples:
  • Quel beau paysage !
  • Quelle bonne idée !
  • Quels magnifiques chiens !