The adjective 'nu' describes the state of being unclothed or uncovered, requiring agreement with the noun it modifies.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes a person or body part without clothing.
- Indicates an object lacking its usual cover or decoration.
- Must agree in gender and number with the noun.
Aperçu
Le mot 'nu' est un adjectif fondamental en français qui exprime l'absence de vêtements ou de couverture. Il s'accorde en genre et en nombre avec le nom qu'il qualifie (nu, nue, nus, nues). 2) Modèles d'utilisation : Lorsqu'il est placé après le nom, il indique l'état physique (ex: 'un enfant nu'). Lorsqu'il est placé avant le nom, il peut avoir un sens figuré ou intensif (ex: 'à nu'). 3) Contextes courants : On l'utilise pour décrire le corps humain, mais aussi pour parler d'un sol sans tapis, d'un arbre sans feuilles en hiver, ou d'un mur sans papier peint. Il est essentiel de noter que 'nu' se place généralement après le nom, sauf dans certaines locutions figées. 4) Comparaison : Contrairement à 'déshabillé' qui implique une action passée, 'nu' décrit un état permanent ou actuel. Il est plus direct et descriptif que 'dépouillé', qui insiste davantage sur l'absence d'ornementation.
Examples
Il court dans le jardin tout nu.
everydayHe is running in the garden completely naked.
La vérité a été mise à nu lors du procès.
formalThe truth was laid bare during the trial.
J'aime marcher nu-pieds dans l'herbe.
informalI like walking barefoot in the grass.
Les branches nues témoignent de l'hiver.
academicThe bare branches testify to winter.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
À nu
Bare/exposed
Nu comme un ver
Buck naked
Nu-pieds
Barefoot
Often Confused With
Dépouillé implies something that has been stripped of its belongings or ornaments, whereas nu simply means lacking cover.
Déshabillé refers to the state of having taken clothes off, often implying a partial state, while nu is the absolute state of having no clothes.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word 'nu' is used in both formal and informal registers depending on the context. In everyday speech, it is neutral and direct. In formal or literary contexts, it is often used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts like truth or secrets.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to make 'nu' agree with the noun, especially in the plural form. Another mistake is using it as an adverb (e.g., 'il est nu-ment'), which is incorrect. Always remember that it functions as an adjective.
Tips
Remember the gender agreement rule
Always check the gender of the noun. Add an 'e' for feminine nouns and an 's' for plurals.
Avoid confusion with adverbs
Do not confuse the adjective 'nu' with the adverb 'nue' (which doesn't exist). Use it strictly as a descriptive adjective.
Nudism in French culture
France has a strong culture of naturism in specific vacation spots. Understanding 'nu' is helpful when reading signs for 'plages naturistes'.
Word Origin
The word comes from the Latin 'nudus', which carries the same meaning of unclothed or bare. It has remained remarkably consistent in form and meaning throughout the evolution of the French language.
Cultural Context
In French culture, the term is used straightforwardly in medical or descriptive contexts. It is also common in art, where 'un nu' refers to a painting or sculpture of a naked person.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'nudist' which starts with 'nu'. If someone is a nudist, they are 'nu'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsL'adjectif nu s'accorde en genre et en nombre avec le nom. Par exemple, on dit 'un homme nu', 'une femme nue', 'des hommes nus' et 'des femmes nues'.
Être nu signifie ne rien porter du tout. Être déshabillé suggère que la personne a retiré ses vêtements, mais cela peut être moins total que la nudité complète.
Oui, on utilise souvent l'expression 'mettre à nu' pour signifier révéler quelque chose de caché ou exposer la vérité. Cela signifie rendre visible ce qui était protégé ou dissimulé.
En général, 'nu' se place après le nom qu'il qualifie. Il existe cependant des expressions comme 'nu-pieds' où il se place avant ou est lié par un trait d'union.
Test Yourself
Elle marche dans le sable les pieds ___.
Pieds est un nom masculin pluriel, donc l'adjectif doit être masculin pluriel.
Quel est le bon groupe nominal ?
Enfant est masculin singulier, donc on utilise nu.
sont / les / nues / arbres / .
La structure sujet + verbe + adjectif est la plus naturelle.
Score: /3
Summary
The adjective 'nu' describes the state of being unclothed or uncovered, requiring agreement with the noun it modifies.
- Describes a person or body part without clothing.
- Indicates an object lacking its usual cover or decoration.
- Must agree in gender and number with the noun.
Remember the gender agreement rule
Always check the gender of the noun. Add an 'e' for feminine nouns and an 's' for plurals.
Avoid confusion with adverbs
Do not confuse the adjective 'nu' with the adverb 'nue' (which doesn't exist). Use it strictly as a descriptive adjective.
Nudism in French culture
France has a strong culture of naturism in specific vacation spots. Understanding 'nu' is helpful when reading signs for 'plages naturistes'.
Examples
4 of 4Il court dans le jardin tout nu.
He is running in the garden completely naked.
La vérité a été mise à nu lors du procès.
The truth was laid bare during the trial.
J'aime marcher nu-pieds dans l'herbe.
I like walking barefoot in the grass.
Les branches nues témoignent de l'hiver.
The bare branches testify to winter.
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