Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nouveau | /nu.vo/ | |
| neuf | /nœf/ | |
| nouvel | /nu.vɛl/ | before vowel |
Use neuf to describe something that is brand new, meaning it has never been used or is in pristine condition.
Which one should you use?
neuf is used specifically for items that are unused or brand new. nouvel is used instead of nouveau when the following masculine noun begins with a vowel or a silent h to avoid a hiatus.
How does it change in a sentence?
nouveau is the masculine singular, nouvelle is the feminine singular, nouveaux is the masculine plural and nouvel is used for masculine singular nouns starting with a vowel or silent h. neuf is the masculine singular, neuves is the feminine plural and neufs is the masculine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/nu.vo/
When do people say it?
The expression Rien de neuf is a common way to say "nothing new" or "nothing's changed" in response to a question like "What's up?"
Did you know?
- The word neuf has a double identity because it is used for both 'new' and the number 'nine'.
- In French, calling a person neuf would be a mistake because it suggests they were recently manufactured like a product.
- The word neuf is a linguistic 'twin' to the English word 'nine', as both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root for the number nine.
Examples in context
- Rien de neuf !That's nothing new.This sentence shows how to use neuf to say nothing is new.Tatoeba #4578505 by sacredceltic, translation #2251172 by CK
- Tu es nouveau ?Are you new?This sentence uses nouveau to ask if someone is a new person.Tatoeba #429827 by Archibald, translation #429820 by CM
- Il est tout neuf.It's brand new.This sentence uses neuf to describe something as brand new.Tatoeba #13153 by hirymnak, translation #34819 by Eldad
- J'ai acheté une voiture neuve .I bought a new car.
- J'ai commencé un nouvel emploi.I started a new job.
- J'ai lu un livre récent .I read a new book.
- T'as vu mes nouvelles baskets? Elles sont trop cool!Did you see my new sneakers? They're so cool!
- Regarde ma chemise, elle est flambant neuve !Look at my shirt, it's brand new!
- 2293 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are talking in a cafe about their recent changes.
- EmmaTu as un nouveau travail ?Do you have a new job?
- HugoOui, c'est un nouveau défi pour moi.Yes, it is a new challenge for me.
- EmmaC'est génial, Hugo !That's great, Hugo!
- HugoMerci Emma, je suis très content.Thanks Emma, I am very happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “new” translations and entries nouveau, neuf, nouvel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries neuf, nouveau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
