Language/French/Grammar/Déterminants

Articles définis

They are used when we known the subject they refer to.

Le --> "le"

It 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"

It 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".

examples:

• 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"

It is used to refer to known plurials (males and/ or females) subjects.

examples:

• Les chevaux sont beaux (= horses are beautiful).

• Les frites sont faites avec des patates (= fries are make with potatoes).

Articles indéfinis

They are used when we don't know the subject they refer to.

Un --> "un"

It is used to refer to an unknown male subject.

ex :

• Un homme étrange (= a weird man).

• Un fruit sucré (= a sweet fruit).

Une --> "une"

It 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"

It is used to refer to unknown plurials (males and/ or females) subjects.

examples:

• Des feuilles jaunes tombent des arbres (= yellow leaves are falling from the trees).

• Des amis m'ont appelé (= friends called me).