FRENCH GRAMMAR EXERCICES & LESSONS



INDEFINITE ARTICLES
un, une, des

In French, the articles "un," "une," and "des" are used to indicate the quantity of a noun. They are an essential part of the language and play a crucial role in French grammar. In this article, we will explore the meaning, usage, and various nuances of these articles.

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1. UN (Masculine) vs. UNE (Feminine)

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"Un" and "une" are singular articles that respectively mean "a" or "an." The difference between these two articles is that "un" is used before masculine nouns, while "une" is used before feminine nouns.

 

For example:

• Un chat (a cat)

• Une chaise (a chair)

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Note that "un" is pronounced "ahn", while "une" is pronounced "uhn."

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​2. DES

 

"Des" is a plural article that means "some" or "a few." It is used before both masculine and feminine nouns.

 

For example:

• Des chats (some cats)

• Des chaises (some chairs)

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Like "un" and "une," there are some exceptions to the rule. When the noun is used in a negative sentence or in a question, "des" becomes "de" or "d'."

 

For instance:

• Je n'ai pas de chat. (I don't have a cat.)

• Tu as d'autres idées ? (Do you have any other ideas?)

 

In addition, "des" can also be used to indicate a specific number of items, but only when it is used in the expression "il y a des" (there are).

 

For example:

• Il y a des centaines de chats dans la rue. (There are hundreds of cats in the street.)

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