Definite articles in French express “the” for specific nouns (le, la, l’, les). They agree in gender and number, and are used before known or general items.
Definite articles are used in French to indicate specific nouns that are known to the speaker and listener, or to refer to general categories. They correspond to the English word “the” but must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). The three forms are le (masculine singular), la (feminine singular), les (plural for both genders), and l’ (used before vowels or mute h).
- Express “the” for specific or known nouns
- Agree with the noun’s gender and number
- Use l’ before vowels or mute h to avoid awkward pronunciation
Forms
French has four forms of the definite article:
- le = masculine singular (e.g. le livre)
- la = feminine singular (e.g. la pomme)
- l’ = singular before a vowel or mute h (e.g. l’ami, l’hôtel)
- les = plural for both masculine and feminine (e.g. les enfants, les maisons)
The apostrophe in l’ replaces the vowel to create a smooth sound (elision).
When is the form l’ used in French definite articles?
Before singular nouns starting with a vowel or mute h
L’ is used before singular nouns that begin with a vowel or a mute h to create a smooth pronunciation (elision).
Usage
Definite articles are used in several key situations:
- Talking about something specific or known: le chien (the dog)
- Referring to something mentioned earlier or obvious
- Talking about things in general or categories: Les chats sont intelligents (Cats are intelligent)
- Using with body parts or reflexive verbs: Je me lave les mains (I wash my hands)
- Talking about days of the week in a habitual sense: Le lundi, je travaille (On Mondays, I work)
- Using certain set expressions: à la maison (at home), de l’école (from school)
Examples
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Le chat est sur la table. | The cat is on the table. |
| J’aime les pommes. | I like apples. |
| L’ami de Paul est gentil. | Paul’s friend is kind. |
| La voiture est rouge. | The car is red. |
| Les enfants jouent dehors. | The children are playing outside. |
| Je prends la soupe tous les jours. | I have soup every day. |
| Le lundi, je vais au marché. | On Mondays, I go to the market. |
Common Errors
- Using un/une (indefinite articles) when the noun is specific or known: Je vois un chat (I see a cat) vs. Je vois le chat (I see the cat).
- Omitting the article before a noun in French, where it’s required: J’aime livres (wrong) vs. J’aime les livres (I like books).
- Using the wrong gender or number: la livre (wrong for “book”) vs. le livre.
- Not using l’ before vowels or mute h: le ami (wrong) vs. l’ami.
Understanding and using definite articles correctly is essential for expressing specificity and generality in French.
What is a common mistake when using articles for specific known nouns in French?
Using un/une instead of le/la for known items
Un/une are indefinite articles for new or unspecified items. Definite articles (le, la) are required for known or specific nouns.
Flashcards (1 of 7)
- English Example: The cat is on the table.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
