Learn French: Elle a la nationalité allemande.

Elle a la nationalité allemande.

She has German nationality.

Breakdown of Elle a la nationalité allemande.

Questions & Answers about Elle a la nationalité allemande.

Why does allemande come after nationalité instead of before it?

In English, we put the adjective first and say German nationality. In French, adjectives for nationalities, colors, and shapes usually come after the noun they describe. So the order is literally the nationality German (la nationalité allemande).

Why does allemande have an e at the end here?

In French, adjectives have to match the gender of the noun they describe. The word for nationality (la nationalité) is feminine. To make the masculine adjective allemand (German) feminine, we add an -e to the end, making it allemande.

How does this fit with answering a d'où (where from) question?

If someone asks a question like D'où vient-elle ? (Where does she come from?), this is one correct way to answer. However, simply saying Elle est allemande (She is German) is much more common in everyday conversation, while Elle a la nationalité allemande (She has German nationality) sounds a bit more formal.

Is the -té ending on nationalité a clue that it is feminine?