Son oreiller est trop mou; elle veut un oreiller plus ferme.

to be

Breakdown of Son oreiller est trop mou; elle veut un oreiller plus ferme.

• elle: she
• vouloir: to want
• trop: too

Questions & Answers about Son oreiller est trop mou; elle veut un oreiller plus ferme.

Why is it son oreiller for “her pillow” and not sa oreiller?

French possessive adjectives agree with the gender and number of the noun possessed, not with the owner. Because oreiller is masculine singular, you must use son, whether it’s “his” or “her.” Examples:

• her blanket = sa couverture (blanket is feminine)
• her pillows = ses oreillers (plural) Note: You also use son before a feminine noun starting with a vowel sound to ease pronunciation (e.g., son amie “her (female) friend”), but here oreiller is masculine anyway.

What gender is oreiller, and what’s the plural?

Oreiller is masculine: un oreiller / l’oreiller / mon oreiller. The plural is des oreillers. Don’t confuse it with oreille (ear), which is feminine: une oreille.

What’s the difference between oreiller and coussin?

• Oreiller: a bed pillow you sleep on (for your head).
• Coussin: a cushion/throw pillow (sofa, chair, decor). There’s also un traversin (a cylindrical bolster).

What exactly does mou mean? How is it different from doux or moelleux?