Learn French: Mon ancien collègue est un homme grand. - My former colleague is a tall man.

Mon ancien collègue est un homme grand.

My former colleague is a tall man.

Breakdown of Mon ancien collègue est un homme grand.

Questions & Answers about Mon ancien collègue est un homme grand.

Why is ancien placed before collègue in this sentence?

Placement changes the meaning of ancien. When placed before the noun, it has a figurative meaning: "former" (a former colleague). If it were placed after the noun (un collègue ancien), it would have its literal meaning: "ancient" or "very old."

Doesn't the adjective grand usually go before the noun? Why is it un homme grand?

You're right that grand is a "size" adjective that typically goes before the noun. However, when describing people, its meaning changes based on position. Un grand homme means a "great man" (like a highly respected historical figure). To say a man is physically "tall," you must place grand after the noun: un homme grand.

If ancien before the noun means "former," how would I say "my old (elderly) colleague"?

To say "old" in the sense of age, you wouldn't use ancien at all. You would use vieux (or vieil before a vowel sound): mon vieux collègue. Using ancien after the noun specifically means "ancient" (like a historical artifact), which sounds very strange when talking about a living person!

How would this sentence change if the former colleague were a woman?