The lesson explains the French adjective ancien, ancienne, which means ex, former, old and antique. The meaning changes based on its placement. When preceding the noun, ancien/ancienne means ex or former. When following the noun, it means old or antique.
ancien, ancienne
ex, former, old, antique
Example sentences
For the first to example sentences, ancien/ancienne means “ex” or “former” as it precedes the noun.
Nicolas Sarkozy est l’ancien président de France.
Nicolas Sarkozy is the former president of France.
This first example uses the negation form ne…plus, meaning “anymore”.
Il ne parle plus a son ancienne petite copine.
He no longer speaks to his ex girlfriend.
For these next two example sentences, ancien/ancienne means old or antique as it follows the noun.
Ils font la restauration d’un bâtiment ancien.
They are restoring an old building.
Marc conduit une voiture ancienne.
Marc drives an antique car.
Study resource
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