Log inSign up

Ils viennent d'ouvrir un nouveau spa dans ce bel espace.

Ils viennent d'ouvrir un nouveau spa dans ce bel espace.
They have just opened a new spa in this beautiful space.
From Lesson 423:Adjective mutations before vowels (bel, nouvel, vieil)·French

Questions & Answers about Ils viennent d'ouvrir un nouveau spa dans ce bel espace.

Why do we say bel espace instead of beau espace?
Beau is the standard masculine singular adjective, but we must use its special form bel when the following noun starts with a vowel or a mute H. Since espace starts with a vowel, we use bel to make pronunciation smoother.
Since we just learned about mutated adjectives, why is it nouveau spa and not nouvel spa?
The mutated form nouvel is only used when the masculine singular noun begins with a vowel or mute H (like un nouvel hôtel). Because spa starts with a consonant, we use the standard masculine form nouveau.
Doesn't venir mean to come? Why does the translation say have just opened?
When you use venir de followed directly by an infinitive verb like ouvrir, it forms the recent past. It means someone has just done that action. So ils viennent d'ouvrir translates to they have just opened.
I thought nouns ending in -ace were usually feminine. Why are we using masculine words like ce and bel for espace?
Most nouns ending in -ace are indeed feminine, like la place or la face. However, un espace is a notable exception. Because it is masculine and starts with a vowel, it requires the masculine demonstrative adjective ce and the mutated masculine adjective bel.

Learn Ils viennent d'ouvrir un nouveau spa dans ce bel espace and more in French

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning French →