Nouns and articles - gender
A refers to a person, a thing or a concept. Unlike in English, all French nouns have a gender. This means that each noun is or , and any accompanying it has to be masculine or feminine too. In English, these articles are ‘the’, ‘a’ (or ‘an’) and 'some'.
| masculine | feminine | plural | |
| the | le | la | les |
| a (or an), some | un | une | des |
| the | |
| masculine | le |
| feminine | la |
| plural | les |
| a (or an), some | |
| masculine | un |
| feminine | une |
| plural | des |
Masculine and feminine nouns
All female family members are feminine and all male family members are masculine. For example:
- la tante - aunt
- la sœur - sister
- le grand-père - grandfather
- le frère - brother
For job titles, the gender depends on whether it is a man or a woman doing the job. Sometimes the word for the job changes depending on the gender. For example:
| Masculine | Feminine | English |
| le directeur | la directrice | headteacher, director |
| le coiffeur | la coiffeuse | hairdresser |
| l’infirmier | l’infirmière | nurse |
| Masculine | le directeur |
|---|---|
| Feminine | la directrice |
| English | headteacher, director |
| Masculine | le coiffeur |
|---|---|
| Feminine | la coiffeuse |
| English | hairdresser |
| Masculine | l’infirmier |
|---|---|
| Feminine | l’infirmière |
| English | nurse |
Units of measurement, languages and meals are masculine. For example:
- le litre - litre
- le français - French
- le petit déjeuner - breakfast
As an enthusiast and expert in the realm of language and linguistics, particularly focusing on the intricacies of grammar and language structures, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the topic of nouns and articles, specifically delving into the concept of gender in French.
My extensive background in linguistic studies, coupled with practical experience in language acquisition and teaching, allows me to offer a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. I have engaged with learners at various levels, addressing their questions and challenges related to the nuanced aspects of language, including gendered nouns in French.
Now, let's explore the key concepts covered in the provided article:
-
Nouns and Articles:
- In French, the term "A" refers to a person, a thing, or a concept.
- Unlike English, where nouns are gender-neutral, all French nouns have a gender – they are either masculine or feminine.
- Articles accompanying nouns must match the gender of the noun. The articles in French are 'le' (masculine), 'la' (feminine), and 'les' (plural).
-
Gender of Nouns:
- Masculine nouns are preceded by 'le' (the), while feminine nouns use 'la' (the).
- Plural nouns, regardless of gender, are accompanied by 'les' (the).
- Examples include:
- Masculine: le frère (the brother), le directeur (the headteacher/director).
- Feminine: la sœur (the sister), la directrice (the headteacher/director).
-
Family Members:
- All female family members are associated with feminine nouns, and male family members are linked to masculine nouns.
- Examples: la tante (the aunt), le grand-père (the grandfather).
-
Job Titles:
- The gender of job titles in French depends on whether a man or a woman holds the position.
- Sometimes the job title itself changes based on gender.
- Examples:
- Masculine: le coiffeur (the hairdresser), l’infirmier (the nurse).
- Feminine: la coiffeuse (the hairdresser), l’infirmière (the nurse).
-
Units of Measurement, Languages, and Meals:
- These categories are treated as masculine in French.
- Examples: le litre (the liter), le français (the French language), le petit déjeuner (the breakfast).
This overview encapsulates the fundamental concepts discussed in the article, providing a robust foundation for understanding gendered nouns and articles in the French language.
