French · Emotions & Descriptions
"Big" in French: grand(e)
grand(e)
Note: also: gros(se)
Big in French is often grand before masculine nouns and grande before feminine ones. Un grand parc means a big park. Gros / grosse can mean big or thick, and sometimes fat — use with care for people.
Apartment hunting
On cherche un grand salon lumineux.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce grand(e)
Say it
grahn / GRAHND
/ɡʁɑ̃/ /ɡʁɑ̃d/
Grand is roughly grahn with a nasal an. Grande is GRAHND, with a sounded d. Do not rhyme grand with English "grand" fully.
"Big" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| grand / grande | big / tall / great Size, height, or importance. | Size, height, or importance. |
| plus grand que | bigger than Comparisons. | Comparisons. |
| gros / grosse | big / thick / heavy Bulk; careful with people. | Bulk; careful with people. |
| en grand | on a large scale Projects and displays. | Projects and displays. |
How to use grand(e) in real life
- 1Apartment hunting
On cherche un grand salon lumineux.
We're looking for a big bright living room.
Grand before a masculine noun.
- 2City walk
La grande place est juste derrière l'église.
The big square is right behind the church.
Grande agrees with feminine place.
- 3Comparing bags
Ton sac est plus grand que le mien.
Your bag is bigger than mine.
Plus grand que for comparisons.
Mistakes English speakers make with grand(e)
Incorrect: Une grand maison.
Correct: Une grande maison.
Feminine nouns need grande.
Incorrect: Il est gros (when you mean tall).
Correct: Il est grand.
Grand is the usual word for tall. Gros comments on bulk and can offend.
Good to know
Grand appears in names (le Grand Palais) and in age talk (quand j'étais grand — when I was grown up). For objects, grand is the safe default; save gros for volume, thickness, or food portions.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a moving van
ChatPal
Il nous faut un grand camion.
We need a big truck.
You
Celui-ci est assez grand, non ?
This one is big enough, right?
ChatPal
Hmm. Prenons le plus grand, pour être tranquilles.
Hmm. Let's take the biggest one, to be safe.
You
D'accord, je réserve.
Okay, I'll book it.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Big" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Big" in French
When do I use grand vs grande?
Grand with masculine nouns, grande with feminine ones: un grand parc, une grande ville.
What is the difference between grand and gros?
Grand is size, height, or greatness. Gros is bulk or thickness and can be rude about people.
How do I say bigger?
Plus grand / plus grande.
Does grand mean tall for people?
Yes: elle est grande often means she is tall.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- Ordering Food in French: Essential Phrases for 2026Ordering food in french - Learn how to confidently order food in French with real-life phrases and tips for 2026 travelers
- 10 Best French Speaking Practice Apps for 2026Find the best French speaking practice app to build fluency. We review 10 top tools like ChatPal for conversation, travel prep, and building confidence in 2026.
