Also means
ancient
Usage Note
Ancien is one of the few French adjectives whose meaning shifts depending on position: placed before the noun it means 'former' (mon ancien professeur = my former teacher), while placed after it means 'old' or 'ancient' (un bâtiment ancien = an old building). The feminine form is ancienne. Anciens as a noun means 'elders' or 'the ancients'.
Examples
"C'est mon ancien appartement."
Natural Translation
That is my former apartment.
Literal Translation
It-is my former apartment
Related Words
Explore French by topic
