Nouns and the Definite and Indefinite Articles - Essential French Grammar

Essential French Grammar (2012)

Nouns and the Definite and Indefinite Articles

Gender of French Nouns

In French, all nouns are either masculine or feminine; there are no neuter nouns. Nouns denoting masculine persons or animals are of the masculine gender, and nouns denoting feminine persons or animals are of the feminine gender. However, this rule is no guide to the identification of the gender of the countless nouns which do not denote masculine or feminine persons or animals. The best way to learn the gender of these nouns is to memorize the definite article when you learn a new noun.

The Definite Article

In French, the definite article agrees in gender and number with the noun it accompanies. This is more complex than English in which one word, “the,” serves as the proper definite article for all nouns. The forms of the French definite article are:

MASC.

FEM.

SING.

le (1’)

la (1’)

PL.

les

les

Observations on the definite article:

1. Les is the only plural form of the definite article.

2. L’ is used only with nouns which begin with a vowel or a silent h. For these nouns the indefinite article, discussed on p. 23, will serve as the guide to the identification of gender.

Plurals of Nouns

Regular Noun Plurals

Most French nouns form their plural by adding -s to the singular form. (This -s is not pronounced.)

SING.

PL.

la capitale

les capitales

(the capital)

(the capitals)

le mot

les mots

(the word)

(the words)

l‘arbre

les arbres

(the tree)

(the trees)

Exceptions

1. Nouns whose singular ends in -s, -x, or -z remain unchanged in the plural.

SING.

PL.

le bras

les bras

(the arm)

(the arms)

la voix

les voix

(the voice)

(the voices)

le nez

les nez

(the nose)

(the noses)

2. Nouns ending in -au or -eu in the singular form their plural by adding -x.

SING.

PL.

le bureau

les bureaux

(the office)

(the offices)

le jeu

les jeux

(the game)

(the games)

3. Nouns whose singular ends in -al or -ail usually drop that ending and add instead -aux to form the plural.

SING.

PL.

le cheval

les chevaux

(the horse)

(the horses)

le travail

les travaux

(the work)

(the works)

4. Note the following very irregular cases:

SING.

PL.

l’œil

les yeux

(the eye)

(the eyes)

monsieur

messieurs

(sir, gentleman, Mr.)

(sirs, gentlemen)

madame

mesdames

(lady, madam, Mrs.)

(ladies, madams)

mademoiselle

mesdemoiselles

(young lady, miss)

(young ladies, misses)

The Indefinite Article

In English, the indefinite article is either “a” or “an.” In French it is un before masculine nouns and une before feminine nouns.

MASC.

FEM.

un restaurant

une omelette

(a restaurant)

(an omelet)

un train

une cigarette

(a train)

(a cigarette)

As mentioned on page 21, the indefinite article will serve as a guide to the identification of gender of all nouns which begin with a vowel or with a silent h.

MASC.

FEM.

un homme

une heure

(a man)

(an hour)

un hôtel

une église

(an hotel)

(a church)