Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching French grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Paul est unique.
What does the verb est mean in this sentence?
The word est is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb être, which means "to be" in English. In this sentence, it translates as "is."
How does the adjective unique function in the sentence?
The adjective unique describes Paul by indicating that he is one-of-a-kind or singular. It follows the linking verb, much like in the English sentence "Paul is unique."
Does unique need to agree with Paul in any way?
Yes, in French adjectives typically agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Since Paul is masculine singular, unique is correctly used in its masculine singular form. (Note: For many adjectives in French, there might be different masculine/feminine or singular/plural forms, but unique remains the same in its singular forms regardless of gender.)
Is the word order in Paul est unique similar to English?
Absolutely. Both French and English use the Subject + Verb + Adjective structure in this example. So "Paul est unique" in French mirrors "Paul is unique" in English.
Are there any nuances to the meaning of unique in French compared to English?
While unique in both languages generally means "one-of-a-kind," French speakers often use it in a more absolute sense to convey that there is nothing else like it. In English, unique can sometimes be used more loosely or even hyperbolically, but in French the term tends to be more precise.