Question 1

Why is cher placed after the noun here?

Accepted Answer

The adjective cher changes its meaning depending on where it sits! When placed after the noun, as in this sentence, it means "expensive." If you put it before the noun, it means "dear" or "beloved" (for example, mon cher ami means "my dear friend").

Question 2

There are two adjectives after the noun (historique and cher). Does their order matter?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the order matters. When you have multiple adjectives that both belong after the noun, the one that defines the core category or type of the noun stays closest to it. Historique classifies the type of portrait, so it stays right next to the noun. Cher describes a quality (its price) and is further modified by très, making it a "heavy" descriptive phrase that naturally falls to the very end.

Question 3

If the item being bought were feminine, would cher change its spelling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If the noun were feminine, cher would become chère. For example, "a very expensive car" would be une voiture très chère. The pronunciation changes too, ending with a clear, open "air" sound instead of the softer, shorter sound of masculine cher.

Question 4

As a quick refresher, why doesn't acheté have an extra letter to agree with the portrait?

Accepted Answer

Because the direct object (un portrait) comes after the verb. In the passé composé using the helper verb avoir, the past participle (acheté) only changes its spelling to match the direct object if that object is placed before the verb.

Il a acheté un portrait historique très cher.

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