French articles are essential components of French grammar, linking nouns to their context by expressing gender (masculine or feminine), number (singular or plural), and the nature of reference (specific or general). They ensure agreement with the noun and help clarify meaning in sentences.
Definite Articles
Definite articles in French correspond to "the" in English and are used when referring to specific nouns that are known to the speaker and listener. They change form based on the gender and number of the noun:
| Gender/Number | Article | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | le | le chien | the dog |
| Feminine Singular | la | la maison | the house |
| Plural (both genders) | les | les enfants | the children |
| Before a vowel/h | l' | l’ami, l’école | the friend, school |
- Use definite articles for things that are unique, habitual, or general truths.
le, la, les, and l' are definite articles.
la
Definite articles are used when the noun is specific, known, or when expressing general truths/habits.
Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles are used to introduce nonspecific nouns, similar to "a," "an," or "some" in English. They also agree with the noun's gender and number:
| Gender/Number | Article | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | un | un livre | a book |
| Feminine Singular | une | une voiture | a car |
| Plural (both genders) | des | des amis | (some) friends |
- Use indefinite articles when mentioning something for the first time or when the exact identity is not important.
un (masculine) and une (feminine) are singular indefinite articles.
des
Indefinite articles are used for new or unspecified items.
Partitive Articles
Partitive articles express an unspecified quantity or a portion of something, often used with uncountable nouns (like food or drink). They correspond to "some" or "any" in English:
| Gender/Number | Article | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | du | du pain | (some) bread |
| Feminine Singular | de la | de la soupe | (some) soup |
| Plural (both genders) | des | des légumes | (some) vegetables |
| Before a vowel/h | de l' | de l'eau | (some) water |
- Use partitive articles when talking about a part of a whole, or an indefinite amount of something.
du, de la, des, and de l' are partitive articles.
Partitive articles are used for unspecified portions or quantities.
Partitive articles are typically used with uncountable nouns, substances, and food/drink.
Summary
French articles are vital for connecting nouns to their context, showing gender, number, and whether the noun is viewed as specific, general, or part of a whole.
- Definite articles (le, la, les, l') specify known nouns.
- Indefinite articles (un, une, des) introduce nonspecific nouns.
- Partitive articles (du, de la, de l', des) express some/any for uncountable or partial notions.
le (definite), un (indefinite), du (partitive) are used for masculine singular nouns.
Definite: known/specific; Indefinite: new/unspecified; Partitive: some/portion.