Language/French/Grammar/Partitive-Articles

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French Grammar → Nouns and Articles → Partitive Articles

Partitive articles are used to indicate a non-specific quantity of something. They are always used with singular nouns and imply an unspecified amount of the noun. In English, the partitive article is usually translated as "some" or "any". In French, there are two types of partitive articles: "du" and "de la" for masculine and feminine nouns respectively.

After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Form and uses of tout & Nouns which change meaning when they change gender.

Formation

The formation of partitive articles in French follows a pattern. The partitive article "du" is used with masculine nouns, and "de la" is used with feminine nouns. Plural forms of these articles use "des", which is used for both masculine and feminine nouns.

Examples:

• J'ai acheté du pain. (I bought some bread.)
• Je voudrais de la soupe. (I would like some soup.)
• Nous avons des pommes. (We have some apples.)

Usage

Partitive articles are used when referring to an unspecified amount of something. They are commonly used with food items, but they can also be used with other countable nouns.

Examples:

• Tu as mangé du gâteau. (You ate some cake.)
• Elle a acheté de la viande. (She bought some meat.)
• J'ai vu des oiseaux dans le parc. (I saw some birds in the park.)

Note that when the noun is negated, the partitive article changes to "de" instead of "du" or "de la".

Examples:

• Je ne mange pas de gâteau. (I don't eat cake.)
• Nous n'avons pas de pommes. (We don't have any apples.)

Expressing Quantity

To express a specific quantity of a noun, use the definite article "le/la" or "les" instead of the partitive article. However, when referring to a non-specific quantity, the partitive article is used.

Examples:

• J'ai acheté le gâteau. (I bought the cake.)
• J'ai acheté un gâteau. (I bought a cake.)
• J'ai acheté du gâteau. (I bought some cake.)

Additionally, in French, the partitive article is used after expressions of quantity such as "beaucoup de" (a lot of), "un peu de" (a little bit of), and "assez de" (enough of).

Examples:

• J'ai acheté beaucoup de pain. (I bought a lot of bread.)
• Il y a un peu de lait dans le frigo. (There is a little bit of milk in the fridge.)
• As-tu assez de temps pour finir le projet ? (Do you have enough time to finish the project?)

Recap

Partitive articles are used to indicate an unspecified quantity of a singular noun. They are formed by using "du" for masculine nouns and "de la" for feminine nouns. "Des" is used for both masculine and feminine plural nouns. To express a specific quantity, use "le/la" or "les".

Practice

Translate the following sentences into French:

1. She wants some water.

2. He bought some cheese.

3. We don't have any bread.

4. They ate some fruit.

5. Do you have enough milk?

Answers: 1. Elle veut de l'eau. 2. Il a acheté du fromage. 3. Nous n'avons pas de pain. 4. Ils ont mangé des fruits. 5. As-tu assez de lait ?

Further Reading

• Article (grammar)
• Partitive

Sources

• Du, de la, de l', des - French Partitive Articles - Lawless French ...
• What are the partitive articles in French? | Learning French Grammar ...
• Partitive articles (some/any) | French Grammar with Frantastique

Table of Contents - French Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• The French Alphabet
• French Vowels and Consonants
• French Accent Marks
• Introductions and Greetings

  ---

Nouns and Articles

• Gender and Number of Nouns
• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Partitive Articles

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense of Regular Verbs
• Common Irregular Verbs
• Passé Composé
• Futur Proche

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Agreement of Adjectives
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
• Formation and Use of Adverbs

  ---

Negation and Interrogation

• Negation
• Interrogation

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers
• Time and Dates

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Romantic Relationships

  ---

Food and Drink

• Food and Eating Habits
• Beverages and Drinking Habits

  ---

Hobbies and Interests

• Sports and Fitness Activities
• Music and Entertainment

  ---

Geography and Travel

• Regions and Cities in France
• Transportation and Accommodation

  ---

French Culture and Arts

• French Cuisine and Gastronomy
• French Cinema and Literature

  ---

French History and Society

• Major Events in French History
• French Society and Lifestyle

Other Lessons

• Summary table of articles
• Adverbs
• Superlative forms of adjectives
• Abstract versus concrete nouns
• Plurals of nouns ending in –ou
• Futur Proche
• Verbs whose stems end in c— or g—
• il or ça alternating with clauses or infinitives as subjects
• The partitive article "du", "de l'", "de la" and "des"
• Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives

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