Language/French/Grammar/Typical-use-of-the-definite-article
Accompany nouns which are already known from the context
One of the uses of the definite article in French is parallel to its use in English: to accompany nouns which are already known from the context:
- Achetez une nouvelle Panthéra GT6. La Panthéra GT6 vous va!
Buy a new Panthéra GT6. The Panthéra GT6 suits you!
- Tu as laissé dans le jardin le livre que tu as acheté hier
You left the book which you bought yesterday in the garden
A pretty good guide to this usage is: if English uses a definite article, use one in French.
General class of phenomena, a unique phenomenon or an abstract quality
A second use of the definite article in French is to refer to a general class of phenomena, a unique phenomenon or an abstract quality:
- Les cochons sont très propres de nature
Pigs are naturally very clean
- Les médecins pensent que la rougeole réapparaît
Doctors think that measles is coming back
- La jungle est un endroit dangereux
The jungle is a dangerous place
- La peur de prendre l'avion le retient en Grande Bretagne
Fear of flying keeps him in Britain
This contrasts with English which more often than not uses no article when a general class or an abstract quality are indicated:
- Pigs are quite clean by nature
- Fear of flying keeps him in Great Britain
The definite article is obligatory in French in these cases.