Definite Articles
Spoken Description
Apprenez à utiliser les articles définis français : le, la, l' (vowels), et les. Accès rapide à leur utilisation avec exemples, règles de base, mots-clés, et exercices pour pratiquer et comprendre leur emploi.
Learn to use French definite articles: le, la, l' (for vowels), and les. Quick access to their use with clear examples, basic rules, keywords, and practice exercises to help you understand and apply them.
-:- / -:-
Definite articles in French mark specific things and agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. This guide covers the basic forms and some special cases.
Basic Forms
The basic definite articles are le for masculine singular, la for feminine singular, and les for plural of both genders. Use le before masculine singular nouns, la before feminine singular nouns, and les before any plural noun. These articles signal that you are talking about specific things already known to the listener or context.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| le chien | the dog | |
| la maison | the house | |
| les amis | the friends |
(the) chien
the dog
Fill in the blank with the correct form: ____ chien (the dog)
Use
Definite articles are used when referring to something specific, when talking about things in general, and with abstract nouns. They appear before nouns that represent categories, ideas, or habitual actions. Unlike English, French keeps the definite article in many expressions where English might use no article.
Use
Definite articles are used when referring to something specific, when talking about things in general, and with abstract nouns. They appear before nouns that represent categories, ideas, or habitual actions. Unlike English, French keeps the definite article in many expressions where English might use no article.
Generic Nouns
When talking about things in general, use the definite article to turn a noun into a category or idea. The article remains even when you mean all things of that type. This usage appears in sentences about habits, preferences, and general truths.
(the) chaise
the chair
Translate: 'the chair' as a general category → ____ chaise
Abstract Nouns
Definite articles appear before abstract nouns that express ideas, qualities, or concepts. Use them when discussing things like freedom, justice, or happiness in a general sense. This reinforces that you are talking about the idea itself rather than a specific instance.
(freedom) est importante
freedom is important
Translate: 'freedom is important' → ____ liberté est importante
Preferences
Verbs of liking, loving, or hating are followed by the definite article when they are followed by a noun that represents something in general. This signals that the preference applies broadly to that category. The article stays even when the noun refers to an activity.
Activities
When a noun derived from a verb represents an activity, use the definite article to mark it as a general practice. This applies to things like swimming, reading, or cooking when they are treated as actions rather than specific events. The article helps turn the noun into a concept of doing.
(swimming) est bonne pour la santé
Swimming is healthy
Translate: 'Swimming is healthy' → ____ natation est bonne pour la santé
Parts of the Day
Use the definite article with parts of the day when talking about routines, times, or habitual actions. Expressions like le matin, l'après-midi, and le soir take the article even if no specific date is mentioned. The article frames the time as a general segment of the day.
(the) matin
in the morning
Translate: 'in the morning' (habitual) → ____ matin
Days of the Week
Definite articles appear with days of the week when referring to habitual actions or repeated events. Use the article to indicate that something happens regularly on that day. To talk about a single occurrence on a day, you can sometimes omit the article and use prepositions instead.
(the) dimanches
on Sundays
Translate: 'on Sundays' (regularly) → ____ dimanches
Special Cases
Some nouns change the article when they are used in different senses, and set expressions sometimes require the definite article for idiomatic reasons. Articles also interact with prepositions in predictable ways. Learn common patterns and exceptions through examples.
Articles with Prepositions
The definite article combines with certain prepositions to form contractions that are required in standard French. These contractions occur with à and de when they precede le, and they help the sentence flow smoothly. The article you choose affects which contraction appears.
| Preposition + Article | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| à + le = au | to the / at the | |
| à + la = à la | to the / at the | |
| à + les = aux | to the / at the | |
| de + le = du | of the / from the | |
| de + la = de la | of the / from the | |
| de + les = des | of the / from the |
(to the) Louvre
to the Louvre
Combine: à + le Louvre = ____ Louvre
Mute H
French distinguishes between words that begin with a vowel sound and those that begin with a consonant or mute h. The definite article contracts or does not contract accordingly. Words that start with a mute h behave like vowel-initial words for article contraction, while words that start with an aspirated h block contraction and keep the full article.
Special Set Expressions
Certain expressions fix the article for idiomatic reasons, even when logic might suggest dropping it. These set phrases appear in everyday speech and writing, so it is helpful to learn them as chunks. They often involve places, times, or abstract ideas.
Summary
Definite articles mark gender and number and appear in predictable places before nouns. They signal specificity, general categories, abstract ideas, and habitual actions. Learn the basic forms le, la, les and pay attention to contractions with prepositions. Use the articles consistently to sound natural and clear.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Mon Dec 8, 2025, 6:25 AM