The word "Petit" is the masculine singular form of the French adjective meaning "small." In French, adjectives change their form to agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
Understanding French Adjective Gender
French adjectives adapt their spelling based on the gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) of the noun they describe. This grammatical agreement is a fundamental aspect of the French language. When you encounter "petit," it signals that the noun it refers to is masculine and singular.
For example, you would say:
- Un petit garçon (A small boy) – 'garçon' is masculine singular.
- Un petit livre (A small book) – 'livre' is masculine singular.
Forms of 'Petit'
The adjective "small" has four main forms in French, depending on the noun it is describing:
| Form | Gender and Number | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| petit | Masculine singular | small |
| petite | Feminine singular | small |
| petits | Masculine plural | small |
| petites | Feminine plural | small |
Gender Agreement Examples
To illustrate how the form changes based on gender:
- Masculine Singular: As established, "petit" is used for masculine singular nouns.
- Le petit chat (The small cat)
- Feminine Singular: To make "petit" feminine, an 'e' is typically added to the end, resulting in "petite."
- La petite fleur (The small flower)
- Une petite voiture (A small car)
Understanding these variations is key to proper grammatical agreement in French. For more detailed information on adjective agreement in French, you can refer to resources like BBC Bitesize French grammar guides.
