en des critère

You’ll typically see this at the start of a sentence or right after a verb like être (to be). Because critère is masculine, we use l'un (the one) and follow it with the plural des critères. It’s a B2-level phrase because it requires you to balance that specific l'un with a plural group. It’s perfect for job interviews, university applications, or even just explaining why you chose one Netflix show over another (like, "the length of the episodes was one of the criteria").

Imagine you're at a job interview on Zoom. The recruiter says: L'un des critères de sélection est la maîtrise de l'anglais. (One of the selection criteria is English proficiency). Or you're talking about a new apartment: Le prix n'est que l'un des critères ; je veux aussi un balcon. (Price is only one of the criteria; I also want a balcony). It’s the "pro" way to weigh your options without sounding like you're just making a random list.

Use this when you want to sound organized and objective. It’s great for formal writing, like an email to a landlord or a cover letter. However, it’s also common in casual debates with friends. If you’re arguing about which pizza place is better, you might say: L'un des critères les plus importants, c'est la croûte. (One of the most important criteria is the crust). It adds a bit of weight to your opinion, making you sound like a refined pizza critic instead of just a hungry person.

Don't use this if there is literally only one standard. If the only rule is "don't be late," just say la seule règle (the only rule). Also, avoid it in very slangy situations where words like truc (thing) or machin (stuff) are more common. Saying l'un des critères while ordering a kebab might make the shop owner think you’re an undercover health inspector. Keep it for when you’re actually evaluating something semi-seriously.

• ✗ En des critère → ✓ L'un des critères (The word en is often confused with un, but in this structure, you need the article l'un).
• ✗ Un des critère → ✓ Un des critères (Always use the plural after des, even if you're only talking about 'one' of them).
• ✗ Le critère de un → ✓ L'un des critères (This literal English-to-French translation sounds very clunky).

• Parmi les critères (Among the criteria): Used when you want to list several things at once.
• En fonction de (Based on / According to): Used to show that a decision depends on the standards.
• Un élément clé (A key element): A slightly more casual way to say something is important.
• Une condition sine qua non (A must-have condition): Use this for a criterion that is absolutely non-negotiable.

• L'un des critères principaux (One of the main criteria): For when you're highlighting the big ones.
• C'est un critère de choix (It's a decisive criterion): Meaning this specific rule changed everything.
• Selon plusieurs critères (According to several criteria): When you're using the whole list at once.

• Is it 'un' or 'l'un'? Both are technically correct, but l'un is more elegant and common at the start of a sentence in written French.
• Is 'critère' masculine or feminine? It's masculine (un critère), so we always use un or le, never une or la.
• Can I use it for people? Not really. You use it for the *standards* used to judge people, not the people themselves. You wouldn't call a friend a 'critère' unless you're being very mean.