Language/French/Grammar/Déterminants
1) Articles définis : Are used when we known the subject they refer to.
Le --> "le" is used to refer to a known male subject.
ex :
Le chien est gris (= the dog is grey).
Le chat mange une souris (= the cat is eating a mouse).
J'ai vu le voisin ce matin (= i saw the neighbor this morning).
La --> "la" is used to refer to a known female subject .
ex :
La tortue de Jean (= Jean's tortle)
J'ai vu la voisine ce matin (= i saw the neighbor this morning).
L' --> it's a diminutive for "le" or "la".
ex:
L'histoire est fausse (= the storie is false).
L'ananas est cultivé dans le sud (= pineapple is grown in the south).
L'animal est sauvage (= the beast/ animal is wild)
Les --> "les" is used to refer to known plurials (males and/ or females) subjects.
ex:
Les chevaux sont beaux (= horses are beautiful).
Les frites sont faites avec des patates (= fries are make with potatoes).
2) Articles indéfinis : Are used when we don't know the subject they refer to.
Un --> "un" is used to refer to an unknown male subject.
ex :
Un homme étrange (= a weird man).
Un fruit sucré (= a sweet fruit).
Une --> "une" is used to refer to an unknown female subject .
ex :
Une vieille horloge (= an old clock).
J'ai une bonne idée (= i have a good idea).
Des --> "des" is used to refer to unknown plurials (males and/ or females) subjects.
ex:
Des feuilles jaunes tombent des arbres (= yellow leaves are falling from the trees).
Des amis m'ont appelé (= friends called me).