French · Emotions & Descriptions
"New" in French: nouveau / nouvelle
nouveau / nouvelle
Note: brand new: neuf / neuve
New in French is often nouveau before masculine nouns and nouvelle before feminine ones. Neuf / neuve means brand-new (unused). Nouvel appears before a masculine vowel sound: un nouvel appartement.
Work
J'ai un nouveau projet cette semaine.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce nouveau / nouvelle
Say it
noo-VOH / noo-VELL
/nu.vo/ /nu.vɛl/
Nouveau is noo-VOH. Nouvelle is noo-VELL. Neuf is nuff; neuve is nuv.
"New" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| nouveau / nouvelle | new New to you, newly arrived, recent. | New to you, newly arrived, recent. |
| nouvel | new (m before vowel) Un nouvel ami, un nouvel an. | Un nouvel ami, un nouvel an. |
| neuf / neuve | brand-new Unused goods. | Unused goods. |
| quoi de neuf ? | what's new? Casual greeting catch-up. | Casual greeting catch-up. |
How to use nouveau / nouvelle in real life
- 1Work
J'ai un nouveau projet cette semaine.
I have a new project this week.
Nouveau + masculine.
- 2News
Tu as vu la nouvelle expo ?
Did you see the new exhibition?
Nouvelle + feminine.
- 3Neighbors
Ils ont emménagé dans un nouveau quartier.
They moved into a new neighborhood.
Nouveau + masculine consonant start.
Mistakes English speakers make with nouveau / nouvelle
Incorrect: Une nouveau voiture.
Correct: Une nouvelle voiture.
Feminine noun takes nouvelle.
Incorrect: C'est un neuf projet.
Correct: C'est un nouveau projet.
Projects and ideas take nouveau; neuf is for unused objects.
Good to know
Neuf is for objects fresh from the box; nouveau is for something newly in your life. Quoi de neuf ? is the classic "what's up" cousin.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Showing a purchase
ChatPal
C'est mon nouveau vélo.
This is my new bike.
You
Il est beau. Une nouvelle marque ?
It's nice. A new brand?
ChatPal
Oui. Il était en promo.
Yes. It was on sale.
You
Tu m'emmènes faire un tour ?
Will you take me for a ride?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"New" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "New" in French
How do you say new in French?
Nouveau / nouvelle (and nouvel before some masculine vowels).
Nouveau vs neuf?
Nouveau = newly arrived/recent; neuf = brand-new unused.
What's new?
Quoi de neuf ?
Feminine form?
Nouvelle (and neuve for brand-new).
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
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