Question 1

Why do beaux and oiseaux end in -x instead of -s?

Accepted Answer

In French, most nouns and adjectives that end in -eau (or -eu) take an -x to form the plural instead of the usual -s. So, the singular beau becomes beaux, and oiseau becomes oiseaux.

Question 2

Don't French adjectives usually come after the noun? Why is beaux placed before oiseaux?

Accepted Answer

You are right that most adjectives come after the noun! However, a small group of common, short adjectives always go before it. You can remember them with the acronym BANGS (Beauty, Age, Number, Goodness, Size). Since beau describes Beauty, it comes before the noun.

Question 3

How do you pronounce the -x in beaux oiseaux?

Accepted Answer

Normally, the -x at the end of a word is completely silent. But because oiseaux starts with a vowel, you must make a liaison (a linking sound). The -x at the end of beaux connects to the beginning of oiseaux and is pronounced like a z sound.

Question 4

Why do we say la nature when the English translation is just nature and not the nature?

Accepted Answer

French requires a definite article (le, la, or les) when you are talking about a general concept or category. Also, verbs that express likes and dislikes, like aimer (to like), always use definite articles for the thing being liked.

J'aime la nature et les beaux oiseaux.

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