In French, gender is a grammatical category that classifies all nouns as either masculine or feminine. This classification affects the forms of other words in a sentence, such as articles, adjectives, and pronouns, which must agree with the noun’s gender.
What Is Gender?
Gender in French is not about biological sex but is a grammatical system that assigns every noun a category: masculine or feminine.
- Masculine nouns use masculine articles and adjectives.
- Feminine nouns use feminine articles and adjectives.
- Gender affects agreement: adjectives and articles change form based on the noun’s gender.
Examples
French Singular | English Singular | French Article | English Article |
---|---|---|---|
le chat | the cat | masculine definite article “le” | the |
la maison | the house | feminine definite article “la” | the |
un livre | a book | masculine indefinite article “un” | a/an |
une pomme | an apple | feminine indefinite article “une” | a/an |
Note: The English articles “the,” “a,” and “an” do not change form based on gender.
Rules for Determining Gender
Many gender assignments follow patterns based on word endings, though there are exceptions.
- Masculine endings: -eau, -isme, -ment, -oir, -sme, -ège (e.g., le tableau, le capitalisme, le bâtiment)
- Feminine endings: -tion, -sion, -té, -ette, -ance, -ence, -ure (e.g., la nation, la liberté, la maisonette)
Examples
Ending | Masculine Example | Feminine Example |
---|---|---|
-eau | le chapeau | — |
-tion | — | la nation |
-ment | le gouvernement | — |
-ure | — | la peinture |
Tip: Learn common endings to predict gender, but memorize exceptions.
Why Gender Matters
Gender affects how you form sentences correctly in French.
- Articles: le (m), la (f), les (plural), un (m), une (f)
- Adjectives: Add -e for feminine (e.g., petit → petite)
- Pronouns: il (he/it for m), elle (she/it for f)
Examples
French Phrase | English Translation |
---|---|
le petit garçon | the small boy |
la petite fille | the small girl |
un ami fidèle | a faithful (male) friend |
une amie fidèle | a faithful (female) friend |
Note: In plural, masculine forms take precedence (e.g., les amis can be all-male or mixed-gender).
Irregular and Exception Cases
Some nouns have irregular gender or change meaning based on gender.
- Nouns that change form and meaning:
- un livre (a book) / une livre* (a pound)
- un critique (a critic, m) / une critique* (a review)
- Always memorize these cases separately.
What is unusual about the pair "un livre" and "une livre" in French?
Same spelling but different gender and meaning
"Un livre" means "a book" (masculine), while "une livre" means "a pound" (feminine), showing how gender can change meaning.
Practice Tips
- Always learn nouns with their article (e.g., la table, le chien).
- Memorize common endings and their usual genders.
- Pay special attention to nouns that change meaning with gender.
- Practice with gender agreement in articles, adjectives, and pronouns.
Summary
Gender in French is a fundamental grammatical rule that assigns all nouns as masculine or feminine. This classification affects articles, adjectives, and pronouns, and is essential for correct agreement and meaning in French sentences.
Flashcards (1 of 8)
- English Singular: the cat
- English Article: the
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025