"C'est un homme nouveau."

Translation: He is a new man.

[MADAMEFLOCH]

nouveau is an adjective that goes before the noun.

[Sitesurf]

Both are acceptable but it would depend on the context.

By the way, you probably know that "nouveau" in front of a vowel or a non-aspired "h" becomes: un nouvel ami - un nouvel homme.

[dbucar]

I just got an X for the answer on another task - un livre nouveau - why is that wrong?
(The correct was supposedly un nouveau livre / un livre neuf.)

[DuFarge]

Beauty, age, goodness and size go before the noun. So, as 'nouveau' is dictating the age of the book, it would come first. At least that is how I read it. But, in this case, the man can't be 'new', but he can be transformed into a 'new' man. It is indicating state of being. Ah, heck, now I've confused myself! rofl

[dbucar]

I can't reply to your reply on my comment down there, so I'm writing here.

OK, your two cases:
- 1st one is a figurative meaning - according to the link provided the adjective should go before the noun
- 2nd one is a literal meaning - the adj should come after

But you explained it as it's the opposite that holds. :/

Thank you

[SandwichMaker]

Why is it acceptable to say "c'est"? Does that not translate as "it is a new man"?
Surely it should be "il est"?

[odio]

c'est Antoine -- he is Antoine

il est français -- he is french

C'est mon amie -- she is my friend

elle est grande -- She is tall

[Sitesurf]

C 'est MON amie -- she is my friend (ma becomes mon in front of a feminine noun starting with a vowel)

[odio]

merci! :)
je le change maintenant

[MindofMykyta]

Shouldn't it be "c'est ma amie" or "c'est mon ami"? I thought the masculine form of friend was "ami" and feminine was "amie"?

[Infrastation]

"C'est mon amie" and "c'est mon ami" is how you would spell it because of how "mon" conjugates.

[Gareth321]

Is there a reason for this? Is "il est un homme nouveau" also correct?

Edit: I found a very good explanation: http://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/cest-versus-il-elle-est

Essentially, it's il/elle/ils sont/elles sont + adjective, and c'est/ce sont + noun.

[Sitesurf]

c'est Antoine: this is Antoine

[fraserbooks]

In English a new man could mean either a different man or the sort of man who does the housework. Is French the same?

[Sitesurf]

No, that expression does not exist in French with that meaning.

By the way, in France men don't do the housework anyway ;-)

[Duomail]

It accepted "it's a new man" as correct, from French to English.

[elleberrie]

Why exactly is it 'nouveau'? I understand the point of nouveau being used for consonants and 'nouvel' being used for vowels, so I used 'nouvel' and I got it wrong. Explain anyone? "/

[Sitesurf]

nouveau is the basic form in masculine singular for all situations, except when the following word starts with a vowel or a non aspirate H:

un nouvel ami, un nouvel homme.

un ami nouveau, un homme nouveau.