Quelque and quelques in French

Read more about how to use Quelque and quelques in French.
Feel the need to learn new grammar tips fast? Learn French online and test your grammar knowledge with Frantastique for free.

TEST YOUR FRENCH Free with no obligation to buy.
4,6 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 7 million users

Quelque and quelques

Quelque, used as an adjective, means 'some' or 'a few'. It agrees with the noun.

Il y a quelques années, j'ai escaladé le mont Blanc. (quelques signifie plusieurs, accord avec années) A few years ago, I climbed Mont Blanc. (quelques agrees with années)
Je sais dire quelques mots en français. I know how to say a few words in French.

Quelque, used as an adverb, means 'some', 'around' or 'about'. It is invariable and doesn't need to agree. This use is quite formal, and you'll encounter it in written form.

La plage est à quelque deux cents mètres d'ici. (quelque est adverbe, pas d'accord) The beach is around 200 metres from here.
Il y a quelque 65 millions d'années que les dinosaures ont disparu. Around 65 million years ago, the dinosaurs disappeared.

Quelque is also used in some common expressions, and is always invariable: Quelque part (somewhere), quelque temps (some time), en quelque sorte (as it were, in a way), quelque chose (something), quelquefois (sometimes, occasionally).
Tu veux me dire quelque chose ? Do you want to tell me something?
Depuis quelque temps, je n'arrive plus à dormir. I haven't been able to get to sleep for some time.
Special case: The expression et quelque(s) means 'and then some' or 'and a bit more'. It agrees with the word it accompanies.

Je gagne deux mille euros et quelques par mois (deux mille et quelques euros, accord avec euros) I earn 2,000 euros and a bit per month. (quelques with the plural euros)
Il y a un an et quelque que je suis célibataire (accord avec an) Just over a year ago I was single. (quelque agrees with the singular an)

Note: As an adjective, quelque can also mean 'a certain' or 'some' (i.e. someone we don't know the identity of). This is very literary, and is rarely used.
Quelque ami de mon frère est venu dîner hier. A certain friend of my brother came to dinner yesterday evening.

Still having trouble with 'Quelque and quelques'? Master the rules of French grammar and improve your French level thanks to our online French lessons Frantastique. We're offering a 7-day free trial, so what are you waiting for?



What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online French lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my French. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.


Looking to improve French for beginners? Frantastique provides effective and fun training!

Tips for learning 'Quelque and quelques'? Share them with us!

TEST YOUR FRENCH