In French, most adjectives are placed after the noun they describe. However, a select group of adjectives can be placed either before or after the noun. When their position changes, their meaning changes entirely!
As a general rule, placing the adjective before the noun gives it a figurative, subjective, or emotional meaning. Placing it after the noun gives it a literal, objective, or physical meaning.
Ancien and Grand
When placed before the noun, ancien means "former," but after the noun, it means "ancient" or "old." Similarly, grand before a noun means "great" or "eminent," whereas after a noun it means "tall" physically.
Cher and Brave
Cher before a noun means "dear" or "beloved." After a noun, it refers to price and means "expensive." Brave before a noun means "good" or "decent" (as in a good fellow), but after a noun, it means "brave" or "courageous."
Curieux and Pur
If you place curieux before a noun, it means "peculiar" or "strange." After a noun, it means "inquisitive." Pur placed before a noun means "sheer" or "absolute," while after a noun, it means "pure" or "unmixed."
Propre
The adjective propre is one of the most common meaning-changers. Before a noun, it means "own." After a noun, it means "clean." Notice how both meanings can even appear in the exact same sentence: