In French, articles are words that precede nouns to indicate their gender (masculine or feminine), number (singular or plural), and definiteness (definite, indefinite, or partitive).
- Definite articles (le, la, l’, les) correspond to “the” in English and are used to refer to specific nouns.
- Indefinite articles (un, une, des) correspond to “a” or “an” and are used for nonspecific nouns.
- Partitive articles (du, de la, de l’, des) are used to talk about some or any quantity of uncountable nouns, often with food or drink.
Articles agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. Learning how to use French articles correctly is key to mastering noun usage and overall grammar.
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Table of Contents
- Definite Articles
The role and usage of definite articles in French, used to refer to specific or known nouns, matching the noun's gender and number.
- Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles in French (un, une, des) meaning "a" or "some," used to refer to non-specific nouns. Includes plurals.
- Partitive Articles
Partitive articles in French, how they indicate an unspecified portion of something, and how to use them with examples.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
