Les articles définis · fiche pratique
1 · Choose the noun’s gender and number
The noun decides the article. Learn the pair together: le magasin, la boutique. The person speaking can use either pair.
| le magasin | the shop · masculine singular |
| la boutique | the shop · feminine singular |
| les magasins / les boutiques | the shops · plural |
Le magasin est ouvert.The shop is open.
Les boutiques sont fermées.The shops are closed.
2 · Use l’ before a vowel or mute h
Both genders use l’: l’école is feminine and l’hôtel is masculine. Put the apostrophe next to the noun.
L’école est près de l’hôtel.The school is near the hotel.
L’amie de Nora arrive.Nora’s friend is arriving.
3 · Keep le or la before an aspirated h
Learn the whole phrase: le héros, la honte. This kind of h blocks elision; it is still silent.
Le héros arrive à la fin.The hero arrives at the end.
4 · Identify something the listener can recognise
Use the definite article for something already mentioned or clear in the situation.
J’ai acheté un sac. Le sac est bleu.I bought a bag. The bag is blue.
Fermez la porte, s’il vous plaît.Close the door, please.
5 · Use it for general likes and dislikes
English often leaves out an article here. French keeps one before the noun: le café, la musique, les romans.
J’aime le café.I like coffee.
J’adore les romans.I love novels.
Je n’aime pas le bruit.I don’t like noise.
6 · Combine à and de with le and les
Use these contractions whenever à or de meets the definite articles le or les. Keep à la, à l’, de la and de l’ as they are.
| à + le → au | to / at the |
| à + les → aux | to / at the · plural |
| de + le → du | of / from the |
| de + les → des | of / from the · plural |
Je vais au marché.I’m going to the market.
Le prix des chaussures est affiché.The price of the shoes is displayed.