Le La – Rules for Articles / Genders in French
Introduction
In French language, there are two definite articles for nouns in singular: « le » for masculine gender and « la » for feminine gender. Both « le » and « la » become « l' » when they precede a noun beginning with a vowel or a silent « h ». All nouns in plural have the article « les ».
French native speakers know mostly intuitively what the article of each noun is. However, non-native speakers need to memorize the articles. There are several rules and guidelines determining the articles of some categories of nouns. But beware exceptions.
1. Rules for Masculine Gender
The following categories of nouns are masculine:
| Names | Examples |
|---|---|
| Trees | amandier, chêne, érable, pin |
| Languages | français, anglais, allemand, espagnol, slovaque |
| Seasons | printemps, été, automne, hiver |
| Months | janvier, juillet, décembre |
| Days of the week | lundi, mardi, dimanche |
Furthermore, nouns with the suffixes below are masculine:
| Suffix | Examples |
|---|---|
| -al | journal, cheval |
| -eau | cadeau, oiseau |
| -ement | commandement, événement, retirement |
| -et | paquet, robinet |
| -eur | répondeur, ascenseur |
| -ier | courrier, quartier |
| -k | crack, tank |
| -lon | papillon, melon, salon |
| -oir | miroir, réservoir, savoir |
| -ron | citron, macaron, vigneron |
| -sme | capitalisme, cynisme, mécanisme |
| -ton | bâton, canton, piéton |
Most nouns with the suffixes below are masculine, but beware exceptions:
| Suffix | Examples | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| -age | bagage, courage, garage | cage, image, plage, rage |
| -c | bloc, parc, tabac | aérobic, fac |
| -d | accord, canard, léopard | barmaid |
| -g | bourg, rang, sang | santiag, tong |
| -in | jardin, lapin, train | fin, main |
| -iste | hédoniste, motoriste | liste, piste |
| -m | album, denim, gram | faim |
| -non | canon, champignon, oignon | guenon |
| -ome | atome, idiome, syndrome | cardamome |
| -t | accent, aéroport, désert, mont, mot | forêt, nuit, dent, part |
| -u | bijou, château, niveau, pneu | eau, peau, vertu |
| -us | autofocus, jus, radius, virus | Vénus |
See also:
2. Rules for Feminine Gender
Nouns with the suffixes below are feminine:
| Suffix | Examples |
|---|---|
| -ade | décade, olympiade, salade |
| -aison | maison, raison, saison |
| -ance | chance |
| -ée | dictée |
| -ence | science |
| -esse | gentillesse |
| -euse | copieuse |
| -ie | vie |
| -ine | marine |
| -ise | surprise |
| -sion | révision, télévision, version |
| -ssion | admission, compression, passion |
| -té | cité |
| -ue | rue |
| -ure | voiture |
Most nouns with the suffixes below are feminine, but beware exceptions:
| Suffix | Examples | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| -ette | courgette | squelette |
| -tion | correction, rédaction, orientation, question | bastion |
| -ude | altitude, étude, fraude | coude, prélude |
See also:
3. Nouns with Both Genders
Many nouns in French can have both genders. In some cases, the gender determines the meaning of the word:
| Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
| le livre (book) | la livre (pound) |
| le page (young nobleman) | la page (page) |
| le tour (turn) | la tour (tower; rook in chess) |
In other cases, both genders are possible: après-midi, enzyme, interview.
Many nouns referring to persons and functions / professions have the same feminine and masculine form: le / la architecte, le / la diplomate, le / la stomatologue.