A1 French GrammarArticles
Learn French definite articles (le, la, les), indefinite articles (un, une, des), and when to use each type.
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1Definite Articles
French definite articles (the) agree with noun gender and number. Use them for specific or general concepts.
Definite Articles
| Gender | Singular | Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | le | les | le livre → les livres |
| Feminine | la | les | la table → les tables |
| Before vowel | l' | les | l'ami → les amis |
Examples
Le chat dort.
The cat is sleeping.
le = masculine singular
La maison est grande.
The house is big.
la = feminine singular
Les enfants jouent.
The children are playing.
les = plural
J'aime l'école.
I like school.
l' before vowel
2Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles (a, an, some) also agree with gender. 'Des' is the plural form for both genders.
Indefinite Articles
| Gender | Singular | Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | un | des | un livre → des livres |
| Feminine | une | des | une table → des tables |
Examples
J'ai un frère.
I have a brother.
un = masculine
C'est une amie.
She's a friend.
une = feminine
Il y a des pommes.
There are (some) apples.
des = plural
J'achète une voiture.
I'm buying a car.
une = feminine singular
3Partitive Articles
Partitive articles (du, de la, de l', des) express 'some' or an unspecified amount of something.
Partitive Articles
| Gender | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | du | du pain (some bread) |
| Feminine | de la | de la viande (some meat) |
| Before vowel | de l' | de l'eau (some water) |
| Plural | des | des légumes (some vegetables) |
Examples
Je veux du café.
I want some coffee.
du = some (masc.)
Il mange de la salade.
He's eating some salad.
de la = some (fem.)
Elle boit de l'eau.
She's drinking some water.
de l' before vowel
Nous avons des questions.
We have some questions.
des = some (plural)
4Articles After Negation
After negative expressions, indefinite and partitive articles become 'de' (or d' before vowels).
Negative Changes
| Affirmative | Negative | Note |
|---|---|---|
| J'ai un chat | Je n'ai pas de chat | un → de |
| Il a de l'argent | Il n'a pas d'argent | de l' → d' |
| Elle mange des fruits | Elle ne mange pas de fruits | des → de |
Examples
Je n'ai pas de voiture.
I don't have a car.
une → de in negative
Il n'y a pas de lait.
There's no milk.
du → de
Elle n'a pas d'amis ici.
She doesn't have friends here.
des → d' before vowel
Nous n'avons pas de temps.
We don't have time.
du → de
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
Complete: '___ musée est juste là.' (The museum is right there.)
Complete: 'Elle met ___ lait dans son caddie.' (She puts milk in her cart.)
Complete: 'Anna a ___ belle robe bleue.' (Anna has a beautiful blue dress.)
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