Articles Flashcards
Translate “the boy.”
le garçon
“Le” is the masculine singular definite article before nouns that don’t begin with a vowel or mute “h.”
What’s “the girl” in French?
la fille
“La” is the feminine singular definite article before nouns not beginning with a vowel or mute “h.”
In French, “the boys” is…
les garçons
“Les” is the plural definite article.
State “the girls” in French.
les filles
“Les” is the plural definite article.
Translate “a boy.”
un garçon
“Un” is the masculine singular indefinite article.
What’s “a girl” in French?
une fille
“Une” is the feminine singular indefinite article.
In French, “some boys” is…
des garçons
“Des” is the plural indefinite article.
State “some girls” in French.
des filles
“Des” is the plural indefinite article.
Articles are…
placed before the noun and agree with it in number and gender.
Translate “I have one son.”
J’ai un fils.
Indefinite articles are used as numeral “one” to express only one thing a person has.
What’s “this is a book” in French?
C’est un livre.
Indefinite articles are used to refer to someone or something not yet known or specifically identified.
In French, “There are some flowers on the table” is…
Sur la table il y a des fleurs.
The indefinite article is used with plural nouns, meaning “some.”
State “Close the window” in French.
Fermez la fenêtre.
The definite article is used to refer to someone or something specific in a particular situation.
Translate “the sun.”
le soleil
The definite article is used to refer to an object unique in its category.
What’s “Lions are very fast animals” in French?
Le lion est un animal très rapide.
The definite article is used before a noun to refer to an entire category of people or things in general.
In French, “We must reduce the poverty in our country” is…
Nous devons réduire la pauvreté dans notre pays.
The definite article is used with abstract nouns when they have a general use.
State “He has a car. The car is new” in French.
Il a une voiture. La voiture est nueve.
The definite article is used to refer to an object that became certain as it had been mentioned earlier.
Translate “I don’t like the color green.”
Je n’aime pas le vert comme couleur.
The definite article is used for any noun referring to a general idea, practice, or phenomenon (e.g., colors, diseases, fields of activity, meals).
What’s “Take the newspaper that is on the table” in French?
Prenez le journal qui est sur la table.
The definite article is used before a noun that has a definition specifying the object being discussed.
In French, “Sunday” is…
le dimanche
Masculine definite articles are used before days of the week.
Translate “winter.”
l’hiver
Masculine definite articles are used before seasons.
Translate “January.”
janvier*
Masculine articles are used before months.
*Definite articles are always omitted before month names.
What’s “spring” in French?
le printemps
Masculine definite articles are used before seasons.
In French, “north” is…
le nord
Masculine definite articles precede corners of the earth.
State “Japanese” in French.
le japonais
Masculine definite articles precede languages.
Translate “pine tree.”
le pin
Masculine definite articles precede trees.
What’s “palm tree” in French?
le palmier
Masculine definite articles precede trees.
In French, “gold” is…
l’or
Masculine definite articles precede metals.
Translate “acid.”
l’acide
Masculine definite articles precede chemical substances.
What’s “toxin” in French?
la toxine
This is an exception to the rule that masculine definite articles precede chemical substances.
In French, “car” is…
la voiture
This is an exception to the rule that masculine definite articles precede transport.
State “Italy” in French.
L’Italie
Feminine definite articles precede countries, cities, continents, and islands.
Translate “Paris.”
la ville de Paris
Feminine definite articles precede countries, cities, continents, and islands.
What’s “Europe” in French?
L’Europe
Feminine definite articles precede countries, cities, continents, and islands.
In French, “Hawaiian Islands” is…
les îles hawaïennes
Feminine definite articles precede countries, cities, continents, and islands.
State “The Amazon (River)” in French.
L’Amazone
Masculine definite articles precede rivers and lakes.
Translate “Lake Huron.”
le lac Huron
Masculine definite articles precede rivers and lakes.
What’s French for “chemistry”?
la chimie
Feminine definite articles precede sciences and academic fields.
Translate “Paris is the capital of France.”
Paris est la capitale de la France.
The definite article is usually omitted before names of cities and towns.
What’s French for “I speak French correctly?”
Je parle correctement le français.
The article may be placed if an adverb separates the verb from the language name.
List the four cases in which the article is omitted.
- if there is a numeral or pronoun placed before a noun
- before nouns denoting quantity and used with a preposition (de)
- The indefinite article is usually omitted before prepositions (‘sans,’ without; ‘avec,’ with; ‘comme,’ as/like).
- The indefinite article is omitted after “être” (to be) when it precedes unmodified nouns denoting nationality, profession, or religion.
Translate “He left without money.”
Il est sorti sans argent.
The indefinite article is usually omitted before prepositions (‘sans,’ without; ‘avec,’ with; ‘comme,’ as/like).
Fill in the blank: “Il va __ cinéma aujourd’hui” (He goes to the cinema today).
au (to the)
a (to) + le (the, masculine singular) = au
Fill in the blank: “Cette ville est la meilleure __ monde” (This city is the best in the world).
du (of the)
de (of) + le (the, masculine singular) = du
Fill in the blank: “Je vais __ ville” (I go to the city).
à la (to the)
à (to) + la (the, feminine singular) = à la
Fill in the blank: “Cette robe est la meilleure __ boutique” (This is the best dress of/in the boutique).
de la (of/in the)
de + la (the, feminine singular) = de la
en (in) + le (the, masculine singular) =
el/eu/au (in the, archaic/dialect)
The contraction of “en” (in) and “la” (the, feminine singular)
en la (in the, archaic/dialect)
What’s “the man” in French?
l’homme
“L’” precedes nouns beginning with a vowel or mute “h.”
In French, “the child” is…
l’enfant
“L’” precedes nouns beginning with a vowel or mute “h.”
State “bus” in French.
le bus
Masculine definite articles precede transport.
The definite article is usually omitted when the name of the region, country, or continent is…
preceded by “en.”
Translate “He is a doctor.”
Il est médecin.
The indefinite article is omitted after “être” (to be) when it precedes unmodified nouns denoting nationality, profession, or religion.
What’s French for “He is a very famous doctor”?
Il est un médecin très célèbre.
The indefinite article is used when the noun after “être” is modified.
What is the partitive article?
a contraction of de + definite article that is used before uncounted nouns (e.g., like ‘some’ or ‘any’)
Fill in the blank: “Il a acheté ___ pain” (He bought [some] bread).
du (some, partitive)
de + le = du
Translate “He bought [some] meat.”
Il a acheté de la viande.
de + la = de la (some, partitive)
Fill in the blank: “Il a acheté _____ chats” (He bought [some] cats).
des (some, partitive)
de + les = des
What’s French for “You are talented”?
Tu as du talent.
The partitive is used with abstract nouns, designating an abstract idea.
In French, “a bottle of wine” is…
une bouteille de vin
The partitive is used after nouns, designating quantity.
State “a little” in French.
un peu de
The partitive is used in expressions of quantity.
Translate “a piece of.”
un morceau de
The partitive is used in expressions of quantity.
Fill in the blank: “Je n’ai pas __ pain.”
de
In negative sentences, the partitive article is replaced by “de.”
Fill in the blank: “J’ai __ bons amis” (I have good friends).
de
When an adjective precedes a plural noun, the partitive becomes “de.”
