In French, articles are used to express whether a noun is specific or general and to show the noun's gender and number. There are two main types of articles: definite and indefinite. Definite articles correspond to "the" in English and are used for specific nouns, while indefinite articles correspond to "a," "an," and "some," and are used for non-specific nouns.
- French articles show whether a noun is definite (specific) or indefinite (general).
- They must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun.
- Definite articles are used for things that are known or specified.
- Indefinite articles are used for things introduced for the first time or viewed generally.
Definite Articles
The French definite articles are le, la, les, and l’. They mean "the" and are used when referring to something specific or already known.
| Gender/Number | Article | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | le | Singular, specific "the" | le livre (the book) |
| Feminine | la | Singular, specific "the" | la table (the table) |
| Both genders | les | Plural, specific "the" | les chats (the cats) |
| Singular | l’ | Used before vowel/h mute h | l’ami, l’école (the friend, the school) |
- Use le for masculine singular nouns and la for feminine singular nouns.
- Use les for all plural nouns, regardless of gender.
- Use l’ before vowels or mute 'h' for smooth pronunciation.
le, la, les, l’
Before singular nouns starting with a vowel or mute h.
Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles are un, une, and des. They correspond to "a," "an," and "some," and are used when mentioning something for the first time or in a general sense.
| Gender/Number | Article | Meaning | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | un | a/an | Singular, non-specific | un livre (a book) |
| Feminine | une | a/an | Singular, non-specific | une table (a table) |
| Plural (both) | des | some | Plural, non-specific | des chats (some cats) |
- Un is used for masculine singular nouns; une for feminine singular nouns.
- Des is used for plural nouns of either gender, implying an indefinite quantity ("some").
un, une, des
When introducing new or non-specific information; for 'a', 'an', or 'some'.
Summary
| Type | Masculine | Feminine | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definite | le | la | les |
| Definite (vowel) | l’ | l’ | les |
| Indefinite | un | une | des |
French articles are essential for matching the gender, number, and specificity of nouns, ensuring clarity and cohesion in sentences.
Definite and Indefinite articles express specificity and agreement with nouns.
Definite articles indicate specificity ('the'): le, la, les, l’
Indefinite articles are used for new/non-specific items: un, une, des.
le, la, les, l’
Before singular nouns starting with a vowel or mute h.
un, une, des
When introducing new or non-specific information; for 'a', 'an', or 'some'.