Gender Nuances
Spoken Description
Apprenez les nuances du genre : genres grammaticaux, accords, exceptions, et mots invariables. Comprenez quand utiliser le masculin ou le féminin avec exemples clairs, exercices et conseils pratiques.
Learn gender nuances: grammatical genders, agreement rules, exceptions, and invariable words. Understand when to use masculine or feminine with clear examples, exercises, and practical tips.
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French nouns are each assigned a gender—masculine or feminine—and that gender affects articles, adjectives, and sometimes meaning. This guide covers subtle cases where gender changes nuance.
Basic Gender
Most nouns are consistently masculine or feminine, and you learn gender alongside vocabulary. Articles like le (masc) and la (fem) signal gender clearly.
Meaning Changes
Some nouns change their meaning depending on whether they are masculine or feminine. For example, le livre is a book, while la livre can be a unit of weight or currency.
Examples
Different Forms
Certain jobs or roles have distinct masculine and feminine forms, often with predictable endings like -eur versus -euse, or -ien versus -ienne. Using the correct form matches the person's gender.
Collective Gender
Some nouns that refer to groups or concepts are always one gender even if they encompass males and females. For example, la famille (family) is feminine regardless of members' genders.
Abbreviations
Shortened forms or acronyms usually keep the gender of the original noun. The article stays consistent based on the full term they represent.
Summary
Gender in French affects more than just articles—it can change meaning and reflect social distinctions. Pay attention to small shifts so you choose the right form in context.
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