Does this belong to a class or group of words that can take on either gender, or is it the only word in the French language where you can decide the gender?
It's a bit of an anomaly, Peter! Actually both forms are acceptable. Up until around 1920, the feminine form was more prevalent in French literature, but since then the masculine form has taken over and is preferred by the Academy française.
Very good video guys. But you missed one more example of this, which has really confused me and in searching for that I ended up on your video. I was trying to write Good Afternoon. Google translated it to 'Bonne Apres-midi' and I wrote that to my friend. But my friend told me that it's wrong. The right translation is 'Bon Apres-midi' as Afternoon is masculine in French. So I am still not sure. Which one is right? or both are right? Please suggest your answer for this. Merki :)
Hi Ahmed, the word “après-midi” can be considered either masculine or feminine, so you can say “bon après-midi” or “bonne après-midi”. The Académie française considers it to be masculine as “midi” is a masculine word. The masculine form is more commonly used, however, both forms are accepted. Hope this helps!
Bon aprés-midi/ Bonne après-midi
Nice
Does this belong to a class or group of words that can take on either gender, or is it the only word in the French language where you can decide the gender?
It's a bit of an anomaly, Peter! Actually both forms are acceptable. Up until around 1920, the feminine form was more prevalent in French literature, but since then the masculine form has taken over and is preferred by the Academy française.
@@coffeebreaklanguages Thanks for the reply. Loving the channel.
Very good video guys. But you missed one more example of this, which has really confused me and in searching for that I ended up on your video. I was trying to write Good Afternoon. Google translated it to 'Bonne Apres-midi' and I wrote that to my friend. But my friend told me that it's wrong. The right translation is 'Bon Apres-midi' as Afternoon is masculine in French. So I am still not sure. Which one is right? or both are right? Please suggest your answer for this. Merki :)
Hi Ahmed, the word “après-midi” can be considered either masculine or feminine, so you can say “bon après-midi” or “bonne après-midi”. The Académie française considers it to be masculine as “midi” is a masculine word. The masculine form is more commonly used, however, both forms are accepted. Hope this helps!
Maintenant je sais que l'après - midi peut être masculin et feminin. Merci!
American here. I see HOW to make apres midi fem & masc but under what circumstances would it be masc v fem? TY
Hello, Sandra! It's really just a matter of preference - it can be either masculine or feminine in any context 😊
See earlier comments above - can Bon or bonne
What about bonne après-midi? Is it just feminine?