§ What 'vendu' means
You've learned that 'vendu' means 'having been sold'. It's the past participle of the verb 'vendre' (to sell). This means you'll often see it used in compound tenses and as an adjective. Understanding this is key to using it correctly.
- DEFINITION
- Having been sold.
§ 'Vendu' as an adjective
When 'vendu' acts as an adjective, it directly describes a noun. This is where agreement comes in. It needs to match the gender and number of the noun it modifies. Let's look at some examples:
- For a masculine singular noun, you use vendu.
- For a feminine singular noun, you use vendue.
- For masculine plural nouns, you use vendus.
- For feminine plural nouns, you use vendues.
Le livre est vendu. (The book is sold.)
La maison est vendue. (The house is sold.)
Les billets sont vendus. (The tickets are sold.)
Les voitures sont vendues. (The cars are sold.)
§ 'Vendu' in compound tenses
'Vendu' is the past participle of 'vendre'. This means it's used with auxiliary verbs ('avoir' or 'être') to form compound tenses like the passé composé, plus-que-parfait, and futur antérieur. For 'vendre', the auxiliary verb is 'avoir'.
When 'vendu' is used with 'avoir' (to have), it generally does NOT agree with the direct object that comes AFTER the verb. However, it DOES agree with the direct object if the direct object comes BEFORE the verb. This is a common point of confusion for learners, so pay close attention.
J'ai vendu ma voiture. (I sold my car.)
Here, 'voiture' is feminine, but 'vendu' remains 'vendu' because 'voiture' comes after 'ai vendu'.
La voiture que j'ai vendue. (The car that I sold.)
In this case, 'que' refers to 'la voiture' (feminine singular), which comes before 'ai vendue', so 'vendu' agrees and becomes 'vendue'.
§ Common phrases with 'vendu'
You'll also encounter 'vendu' in common expressions. Knowing these will make your French sound more natural.
- Tout est vendu. (Everything is sold.) - A simple, practical phrase for when something is completely gone.
- C'est vendu! (It's sold!) - Often heard in auctions or when a deal is closed.
Le dernier exemplaire a été vendu ce matin. (The last copy was sold this morning.)
This sentence uses 'vendu' in a passive construction with 'être'.
Les places pour le concert sont toutes vendues. (The concert tickets are all sold.)
Here, 'vendues' agrees with 'les places' (feminine plural).
Keep practicing these structures, and you'll become more confident using 'vendu' in no time. The key is to pay attention to gender and number agreement, especially when 'vendu' acts as an adjective or when the direct object precedes the verb in compound tenses with 'avoir'.
셀프 테스트 6 질문
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'vendre' (to sell): La maison a été ___ hier.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La maison a été vendue hier.
Translate to French: The car was sold quickly.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La voiture a été vendue rapidement.
Complete the sentence: Les billets sont déjà ___. (The tickets are already sold.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Les billets sont déjà vendus.
Pourquoi n'y a-t-il plus de copies du livre ?
Read this passage:
Le livre est très populaire. Il a été vendu en quelques jours. Beaucoup de gens voulaient l'acheter. Maintenant, il n'y a plus de copies disponibles.
Pourquoi n'y a-t-il plus de copies du livre ?
The passage states 'Il a été vendu en quelques jours,' meaning it sold quickly, leading to no more copies.
The passage states 'Il a été vendu en quelques jours,' meaning it sold quickly, leading to no more copies.
Qu'est-ce qui a été vendu au marché aux puces ?
Read this passage:
J'ai acheté une nouvelle robe la semaine dernière. L'ancienne robe a été vendue au marché aux puces. Je n'en avais plus besoin.
Qu'est-ce qui a été vendu au marché aux puces ?
The passage says 'L'ancienne robe a été vendue au marché aux puces,' indicating the old dress was sold there.
The passage says 'L'ancienne robe a été vendue au marché aux puces,' indicating the old dress was sold there.
À qui les fruits et légumes ont-ils été vendus ?
Read this passage:
Les fruits et légumes du jardin ont été vendus à nos voisins. Ils étaient très frais et bons. Tout le monde était content.
À qui les fruits et légumes ont-ils été vendus ?
The passage clearly states 'Les fruits et légumes du jardin ont été vendus à nos voisins.'
The passage clearly states 'Les fruits et légumes du jardin ont été vendus à nos voisins.'
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
관련 콘텐츠
home 관련 단어
à disposition
B1Available for use; at one's disposal.
à distance de
B1At a certain distance from something.
à droite de
B1To the right of; on the right side of.
à gauche de
B1To the left of; on the left side of.
à gaz
A2Powered by gas; gas-powered.
à la maison
A2At home; in one's place of residence.
à l'écart
B1Away from others; apart; aside.
à l'étage
B1On an upper floor of a building; upstairs.
à l'extérieur
A2On or to the outer side or surface of something.
à l'intérieur
A2In or to the inner part or interior of something.
