A1 Nouns & Articles 15 min read Easy

Girl Power: Common French Feminine Nouns (la/une)

Identify feminine nouns by their endings (like -e or -tion) and always pair them with la or une.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In French, every noun is either masculine or feminine; use 'la' (the) or 'une' (a) for feminine nouns.

  • Use 'la' for specific feminine nouns: 'la fille' (the girl).
  • Use 'une' for non-specific feminine nouns: 'une pomme' (an apple).
  • Feminine nouns often end in '-e', but always check the dictionary!
Article (la/une) + Feminine Noun

Overview

In French, every noun possesses a grammatical gender: it is either masculine or feminine. This inherent characteristic is not typically linked to the biological sex of the object, person, or concept it represents. Understanding noun gender is fundamental for constructing grammatically correct sentences, as it dictates the form of articles, adjectives, and sometimes even verb agreements that accompany the noun.

For A1 learners, mastering the gender of common nouns is a crucial first step towards fluent communication.

Feminine nouns, identified primarily by articles like la (the) or une (a), form a significant part of the French lexicon. Recognizing these nouns allows you to select the correct accompanying words, ensuring clarity and naturalness in your speech and writing. While initially challenging for speakers of languages without grammatical gender, consistent patterns and common endings provide reliable indicators for identifying feminine nouns.

Approaching noun gender systematically, rather than through rote memorization alone, accelerates the learning process.

How This Grammar Works

When a noun is feminine, it necessitates the use of feminine articles and demands agreement from any adjectives modifying it. The two primary feminine articles for A1 learners are la (the, definite) and une (a/an, indefinite). For example, la voiture (the car) uses the definite feminine article la, and une pomme (an apple) uses the indefinite feminine article une.
This gender assignment extends beyond just the article. Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. For most adjectives, this means adding an -e to the masculine form to create the feminine form.
Consider the noun table, which is feminine: la petite table (the small table). Here, the adjective petit (small) takes an -e to become petite to agree with table. Conversely, for a masculine noun like livre, you would say le petit livre (the small book), where petit remains in its masculine form.
This systematic agreement ensures linguistic harmony and precision in French.
Additionally, if a feminine noun begins with a vowel or a silent h, the definite article la contracts to l' to facilitate pronunciation. For instance, l'idée (the idea) or l'heure (the hour). Although the article changes, the noun idée remains feminine, and any adjectives modifying it would still agree accordingly, such as une bonne idée (a good idea), where bonne is the feminine form of bon.
This rule, known as elision, prioritizes the flow of spoken French.

Formation Pattern

1
Identifying feminine nouns often relies on recognizing common endings. While exceptions exist, these patterns are strong indicators. This section outlines the most frequent and reliable endings for feminine nouns at the A1 level. Memorizing these patterns can significantly reduce the need for individual noun memorization.
2
One of the most common signs is the silent -e at the end of a noun. A vast majority of nouns ending in -e are feminine, provided this -e is not preceded by certain specific suffixes (e.g., -age, -isme, -ème which are often masculine). For example, la porte (the door), la table (the table), la rue (the street). The presence of this final -e often marks the feminine form, historically indicating a softer termination in spoken French.
3
Many abstract nouns and nouns of action also follow distinct feminine patterns. The suffixes -tion and -sion are highly reliable indicators of feminine gender. These endings are especially helpful as many corresponding English words share a similar Latin root. Examples include la nation (the nation), la décision (the decision), la communication (the communication). Similarly, nouns ending in -té (often abstract qualities) are almost exclusively feminine, as seen in la liberté (freedom) and la beauté (beauty).
4
Other predictable feminine endings include -ette, -elle, -esse, and -onne, often involving a doubled consonant before an -e. For instance, la serviette (the napkin), la poubelle (the bin), la tristesse (sadness), la personne (the person). Nouns ending in -ance and -ence are also consistently feminine, such as la chance (luck) and la différence (difference). These patterns reflect historical linguistic developments in French, where certain suffixes became associated with feminine forms.
5
Here's a table summarizing common feminine noun endings:
6
| Ending | Examples | Note |
7
| :---------- | :----------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------- |
8
| -e | la porte, la table, la rue, la vie | Most common, but has exceptions. |
9
| -tion | la nation, la situation, la direction| Highly reliable. |
10
| -sion | la décision, la passion, la tension | Highly reliable. |
11
| -té | la liberté, la beauté, la réalité | Almost always feminine. |
12
| -ette | la serviette, la chaussette, la fillette| Very common. |
13
| -elle | la poubelle, la ruelle, la mademoiselle| Common. |
14
| -esse | la tristesse, la gentillesse, la jeunesse| Common for abstract nouns. |
15
| -onne | la personne, la colonne, la patronne | Often for professions/people. |
16
| -ance | la chance, la connaissance, la confiance| Very reliable. |
17
| -ence | la différence, la patience, l'absence | Very reliable. |
18
| -ie | la maladie, la pluie, la philosophie | Common for abstract nouns or states. |
19
| -ude | l'attitude, la solitude, la magnitude| Less common, but reliable. |
20
| -oire | la mémoire, la victoire, l'histoire | Common for concepts and places. |
21
Remember that some masculine nouns also end in -e (e.g., le problème, le système, le groupe, le lycée, le musée, le collège). These must be learned as exceptions. While the -e rule is a strong guideline, always confirm with an article when learning new vocabulary.

Gender & Agreement

The gender of a French noun is immutable and extends its influence throughout the sentence, impacting articles, adjectives, and even past participles in compound tenses. This phenomenon is known as agreement (l'accord), and it is a cornerstone of French grammar. Understanding this connection is vital for producing grammatically sound and natural-sounding French.
For feminine nouns, the immediate implication is the choice of article. As established, la (definite) and une (indefinite) are used. However, this agreement continues with any adjective describing the noun.
The general rule for forming the feminine of an adjective is to add an -e to its masculine singular form. For example, the adjective grand (tall/big) becomes grande for a feminine noun: une grande maison (a big house). If the masculine adjective already ends in an -e, no further change is made for the feminine form: une jeune fille (a young girl), where jeune remains the same for both genders.
More complex agreement rules apply to adjectives ending in specific letters or combinations. For instance, adjectives ending in -eux often become -euse in the feminine (e.g., heureux -> heureuse: une femme heureuse, a happy woman). Adjectives ending in -f change to -ve (e.g., neuf -> neuve: une nouvelle voiture neuve, a new car).
While A1 learners are not expected to master all adjective agreement rules immediately, recognizing that adjectives must change for feminine nouns is crucial. Prioritize the -e addition rule as your primary tool.
This agreement also extends to past participles when used with the auxiliary verb être (to be) in compound tenses like the passé composé. Although slightly beyond strict A1, a basic awareness is beneficial. When the subject of a verb conjugated with être is feminine, the past participle must also agree by adding an -e.
For example, Elle est allée au marché (She went to the market), where allé takes an -e to become allée because elle is feminine. This consistent system of agreement is what gives French its internal coherence.

When To Use It

The application of feminine nouns and their corresponding agreements is constant in French. You will encounter and use them in virtually every sentence, whether describing objects, people, abstract concepts, or locations. For an A1 learner, accurately identifying and using feminine nouns is not merely an academic exercise; it is an essential skill for everyday communication.
Consider simple daily interactions. When you talk about possessions, you will invariably use feminine nouns: J'ai acheté une nouvelle voiture (I bought a new car) or Ma télévision est grande (My television is big). When discussing plans or ideas, feminine abstract nouns are prevalent: C'est une bonne idée (That's a good idea) or J'ai une question (I have a question).
Even basic descriptions of physical surroundings are saturated with feminine nouns: La porte est fermée (The door is closed), La fenêtre est ouverte (The window is open), La maison est belle (The house is beautiful).
In social contexts, understanding gender is crucial for polite and accurate address. If referring to a female manager, you would say la directrice (the director), not le directeur. Similarly, une amie (a female friend) vs.
un ami (a male friend). Using the correct gender for professions and people demonstrates respect and precision. In modern usage, particularly on social media or in texting, these agreements remain important.
For example, commenting on une photo magnifique (a magnificent photo) or sharing une histoire intéressante (an interesting story) still requires correct gender and adjective agreement. Your ability to correctly apply feminine nouns and their agreements signals a foundational grasp of the language and enhances your credibility as a speaker.

Common Mistakes

Beginners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when navigating French feminine nouns. Acknowledging these common errors helps in developing strategies to avoid them. The most pervasive mistake is the direct transfer of gender logic from one's native language, particularly English, which lacks grammatical gender. Learners often assume an object's gender based on perceived characteristics (e.g., a sturdy object being masculine, a delicate one feminine), which is rarely the case in French. Remember, French gender is grammatical, not inherent to the object's nature; une cravate (a tie) is feminine, and une moustache (a mustache) is also feminine, defying typical gender stereotypes.
Another frequent error is overgeneralizing the -e rule. While most nouns ending in -e are feminine, there are significant and common exceptions that are masculine. Words like le problème (the problem), le système (the system), le thème (the theme), le programme (the program), le musée (the museum), and le lycée (the high school) are masculine despite ending in -e. These exceptions often derive from Greek words and are consistently masculine. Failing to recognize these leads to errors such as *la problème instead of the correct le problème. It is essential to learn these specific exceptions actively.
Misapplication of the l' article is also common. While l' is used for both masculine and feminine nouns starting with a vowel or silent h (l'ami, l'amie), learners sometimes forget the underlying gender. This becomes apparent when an adjective is added. For example, if l'idée is mistakenly perceived as masculine, one might incorrectly say *l'idée est bon instead of the correct l'idée est bonne (the idea is good), where bonne agrees with the feminine idée. Always mentally track the base gender of the noun, even when the article is elided.
Finally, beginners often neglect adjective agreement entirely. They might correctly identify une voiture as feminine but then say *une voiture petit instead of une voiture petite. Consistently applying the -e for feminine adjectives is a key habit to develop early. This requires conscious effort and practice, as it demands a simultaneous consideration of noun gender and adjective form.

Common Collocations

Learning nouns in common phrases or collocations can greatly enhance fluency and retention. These are natural pairings of words that frequently occur together. For feminine nouns, this often involves specific adjectives, verbs, or prepositions that are used habitually by native speakers. Focusing on these ready-made phrases helps to internalize gender rules in a practical context.
Here are some common feminine nouns paired with frequently used adjectives and verbs:
| Feminine Noun | Common Adjective(s) | Common Verb(s) / Phrase(s) |
| :------------- | :----------------------------- | :--------------------------------------- |
| la maison | grande, belle, petite | habiter dans la maison (live in the house) |
| la voiture | neuve, ancienne, rapide | prendre la voiture (take the car) |
| la table | ronde, carrée, libre | mettre la table (set the table) |
| la porte | ouverte, fermée, rouge | ouvrir la porte (open the door) |
| l'idée | bonne, mauvaise, géniale | avoir une idée (have an idea) |
| la question | difficile, simple, importante | poser une question (ask a question) |
| la vie | belle, dure, longue | aimer la vie (love life) |
| la chance | bonne, mauvaise | avoir de la chance (be lucky) |
| la musique | douce, forte, classique | écouter de la musique (listen to music) |
| la ville | grande, belle, historique| habiter en ville (live in town) |
Using these collocations in your daily practice will reinforce the gender of the noun and the necessary adjective agreement. For instance, instead of just learning voiture, learn une voiture neuve. This integrates the gender and agreement naturally. Additionally, pay attention to prepositions often associated with feminine nouns, such as en for countries (en France, en Espagne) or à for certain locations (à la plage, at the beach).

Real Conversations

Observing how feminine nouns are used in authentic, everyday French conversations provides valuable contextual understanding beyond textbook examples. In spoken and written French, including informal contexts like texting or social media, the correct application of feminine nouns and their agreements is consistently maintained, even in abbreviated forms.

Consider a conversation among friends discussing weekend plans:

- A: On va à la plage samedi ? (Are we going to the beach on Saturday?)

- B: Bonne idée ! J'ai une nouvelle serviette. (Good idea! I have a new towel.)

- A: Super ! Il fera beau, la météo est très bonne. (Great! The weather will be good, the forecast is very good.)

Here, plage, idée, serviette, and météo are all feminine, dictating the articles la and une, and the feminine adjective bonne. Even in informal exchanges, native speakers intuitively select the correct gender. On social media, you might see:

- J'adore cette photo ! C'est vraiment une belle image. (I love this photo! It's really a beautiful image.)

- Ma voiture est tombée en panne. Grosse galère ! (My car broke down. Big hassle!)

Photo, image, voiture, and galère are feminine, driving article and adjective choices. Notice Grosse galère ! where grosse is the feminine form of gros (big/thick) agreeing with galère (hassle), even in an exclamation. This demonstrates that grammatical gender is deeply ingrained in native communication, not reserved for formal settings. Pay attention to how native speakers use these nouns in TV shows, podcasts, or online content; you will consistently hear the articles la/une and appropriate adjective agreements.

Quick FAQ

Q: What is the most reliable way to know if a noun is feminine?

The most reliable way is to learn the noun with its definite article (la or l') from the outset. However, focusing on common feminine endings like -tion, -sion, -té, -ette, -elle, -ance, and -ence provides strong clues and covers a large percentage of feminine nouns. When in doubt, these endings are your best bet.

Q: Why does French have grammatical gender at all?

Grammatical gender is a feature inherited from Latin, the language from which French evolved. Many Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese) also retain this system. It's a linguistic convention that organizes nouns into categories, impacting the morphology (form) of associated words rather than reflecting biological sex.

Q: Are there any universal rules for masculine vs. feminine?

Not truly universal, but strong tendencies exist. For instance, geographical names often follow rules: continents are generally feminine (l'Europe, l'Asie), while countries ending in -e are feminine (la France, la Chine) with a few exceptions (le Mexique). Trees and months are typically masculine, while certain fruits are feminine (la pomme, la poire). These are tendencies, not absolute rules, and require observation.

Q: If a word is borrowed from English, how is its gender decided?

Borrowed words often have their gender assigned based on phonetics (how they sound) or analogy to existing French words. Sometimes, the context of their use influences gender. Many English words ending in consonants tend to become masculine (e.g., le parking, le weekend), but there are feminine exceptions like la playlist or la story. This area can be less predictable and often requires specific memorization as new words enter the language.

Q: Does making a mistake with noun gender truly hinder communication?

At the A1 level, minor gender mistakes are usually understood, as the context often clarifies meaning. However, consistent errors in gender (and consequently in article and adjective agreement) can make your French sound unnatural or even ambiguous. For instance, le livre (the book) vs. la livre (the pound) highlights how gender can change meaning. Aim for accuracy, as it significantly improves clarity and comprehension by native speakers, reducing cognitive load on the listener.

Q: How can I best practice remembering noun genders?

Active practice is key. Create flashcards with the noun and its definite article (la table), perhaps color-coding feminine nouns pink and masculine ones blue. Practice forming simple sentences using feminine nouns with appropriate adjectives (e.g., C'est une grande maison). Engage in listening activities, paying close attention to the articles used by native speakers. Consistent exposure and active recall are the most effective strategies.

Feminine Article Usage

Type Article Example Meaning
Definite
la
la fille
the girl
Definite (Vowel)
l'
l'amie
the friend
Indefinite
une
une pomme
an apple
Negative
de
pas de pomme
no apple

Contractions

Full Form Contraction Example
la + école
l'école
l'école est grande

Meanings

French nouns are categorized by gender. Feminine nouns require specific articles to indicate their gender.

1

Definite Feminine

Referring to a specific feminine object or person.

“La voiture est rouge.”

“La femme parle.”

2

Indefinite Feminine

Referring to any one of a group of feminine objects.

“Une pomme par jour.”

“Une idée géniale.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Girl Power: Common French Feminine Nouns (la/une)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
la + Noun
La table est ici.
Indefinite
une + Noun
J'ai une idée.
Negative
ne... pas de + Noun
Je n'ai pas de voiture.
Question
Est-ce que la + Noun...?
Est-ce que la porte est ouverte?
Plural
les + Noun
Les filles sont là.
Vowel
l' + Noun
L'amie est gentille.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
La dame est présente.

La dame est présente. (Describing someone)

Neutral
La femme est ici.

La femme est ici. (Describing someone)

Informal
La meuf est là.

La meuf est là. (Describing someone)

Slang
La meuf est là.

La meuf est là. (Describing someone)

Feminine Noun Map

Feminine Nouns

People

  • la fille the girl

Objects

  • la table the table

Gender Comparison

Feminine
la femme the woman
Masculine
le homme the man

Decision Flow

1

Is the noun feminine?

YES
Use la/une
NO
Use le/un

Common Feminine Endings

📝

Endings

  • • -e
  • • -tion
  • • -té
  • • -ie
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

La fille mange.

The girl eats.

2

C'est une pomme.

It is an apple.

3

La maison est grande.

The house is big.

4

J'ai une idée.

I have an idea.

1

L'école est fermée.

The school is closed.

2

Je cherche une table.

I am looking for a table.

3

La voiture est bleue.

The car is blue.

4

Elle a une sœur.

She has a sister.

1

La situation est complexe.

The situation is complex.

2

C'est une décision importante.

It is an important decision.

3

La liberté est essentielle.

Freedom is essential.

4

Elle veut une opportunité.

She wants an opportunity.

1

La technologie évolue vite.

Technology evolves fast.

2

Une analyse approfondie est nécessaire.

An in-depth analysis is necessary.

3

La culture française est riche.

French culture is rich.

4

Elle a une vision claire.

She has a clear vision.

1

La perspicacité est une vertu.

Insight is a virtue.

2

Une telle audace est rare.

Such audacity is rare.

3

La rhétorique est une science.

Rhetoric is a science.

4

Elle a une éloquence naturelle.

She has natural eloquence.

1

La quintessence de la beauté.

The quintessence of beauty.

2

Une éphémérité touchante.

A touching ephemerality.

3

La sagacité du juge.

The judge's sagacity.

4

Une ubiquité surprenante.

A surprising ubiquity.

Easily Confused

Girl Power: Common French Feminine Nouns (la/une) vs Le vs La

Learners mix up masculine and feminine.

Girl Power: Common French Feminine Nouns (la/une) vs Une vs Un

Learners mix up indefinite articles.

Girl Power: Common French Feminine Nouns (la/une) vs La vs L'

Learners forget to elide.

Common Mistakes

✗

le fille

✓

la fille

Feminine nouns use la.
✗

la école

✓

l'école

Elision required before vowels.
✗

une table est le grand

✓

une table est la grande

Adjective must agree.
✗

j'ai un pomme

✓

j'ai une pomme

Pomme is feminine.
✗

je n'ai pas une voiture

✓

je n'ai pas de voiture

Negative uses de.
✗

la homme

✓

l'homme

Homme is masculine.
✗

une idée est bon

✓

une idée est bonne

Adjective agreement.
✗

la problème

✓

le problème

Problème is masculine.
✗

une épreuve difficile

✓

une épreuve difficile

Correct, but watch for gender.
✗

la système

✓

le système

Système is masculine.
✗

la après-midi

✓

l'après-midi

Can be both, but masculine is standard.
✗

la équivoque

✓

l'équivoque

Feminine.
✗

la espèce

✓

l'espèce

Feminine.
✗

la espace

✓

l'espace

Masculine.

Sentence Patterns

La ___ est ___.

J'ai une ___.

La ___ est une ___.

Est-ce que la ___ est ___?

Real World Usage

Restaurant Menu constant

La salade du jour.

Social Media very common

La vie est belle.

Travel common

La gare est ici.

Job Interview common

La société est innovante.

Texting constant

La fête est top.

Shopping common

Une robe rouge.

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

Memorize with articles

Always learn 'la table' instead of just 'table'.
⚠️

Watch for vowels

Remember to use 'l'' before vowels.
🎯

Look for endings

Words ending in '-tion' are almost always feminine.
💬

Listen to natives

Hearing the gender in context helps retention.

Smart Tips

Always learn the article with the noun.

table → la table

Use l' instead of la.

la école → l'école

Use de instead of une.

je n'ai pas une voiture → je n'ai pas de voiture

It's almost always feminine.

le situation → la situation

Pronunciation

l'école [le-kol]

Elision

The 'a' in 'la' is dropped before a vowel.

Rising

La fille? ↗

Questioning

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'La' as a lady's name. If it's a lady, it's 'La'!

Visual Association

Imagine a pink ribbon tied around every feminine object in your room.

Rhyme

For the girls, use 'la' and 'une', under the light of the feminine moon.

Story

Marie is a girl (la fille). She sits at a table (la table). She eats an apple (une pomme). She has an idea (une idée).

Word Web

la fillela tableune pommeune idéela voiturela maison

Challenge

Label 5 items in your room with sticky notes saying 'la' or 'une' if they are feminine.

Cultural Notes

Gender is strictly taught in school.

Same rules, but some nouns differ.

Standard French gender rules apply.

Derived from Latin feminine nouns.

Conversation Starters

“

Quelle est la chose préférée?

“

As-tu une idée pour ce soir?

“

La situation est-elle grave?

“

Quelle est la meilleure option?

Journal Prompts

Describe your room using feminine nouns.
Write about a dream you had.
Discuss a recent decision you made.
Reflect on the concept of freedom.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with la or une.

___ fille est ici.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la
Fille is feminine.
Choose the correct article. Multiple Choice

J'ai ___ pomme.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: une
Pomme is feminine.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Le fille est grande.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La fille est grande
Fille is feminine.
Change to negative. Sentence Transformation

J'ai une voiture.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je n'ai pas de voiture
Negative uses de.
Match the noun with the article. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la table
Table is feminine.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

la / est / grande / maison

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La maison est grande
Correct word order.
Select correct article. Conjugation Drill

___ école.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: L'
Elision before vowel.
Is this true? True False Rule

All nouns ending in -e are feminine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Not all, but many are.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with la or une.

___ fille est ici.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la
Fille is feminine.
Choose the correct article. Multiple Choice

J'ai ___ pomme.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: une
Pomme is feminine.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Le fille est grande.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La fille est grande
Fille is feminine.
Change to negative. Sentence Transformation

J'ai une voiture.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je n'ai pas de voiture
Negative uses de.
Match the noun with the article. Match Pairs

Match la/une.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la table
Table is feminine.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

la / est / grande / maison

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La maison est grande
Correct word order.
Select correct article. Conjugation Drill

___ école.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: L'
Elision before vowel.
Is this true? True False Rule

All nouns ending in -e are feminine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Not all, but many are.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Translate 'A table' into French. Translation

A table

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Une table
Put the words in order. Sentence Reorder

la / baguette / mange / Je

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je mange la baguette
Match the noun with its correct article. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la : voiture
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

C'est ___ bonne idée !

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: une
Which of these words is feminine? Multiple Choice

Pick the feminine noun:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Télévision
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Un playlist géniale.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Une playlist géniale.
Translate 'The bakery'. Translation

The bakery

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La boulangerie
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Regarde ___ photo !

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cette
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

La ___ est belle.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ville
Reorder the sentence. Sentence Reorder

est / liberté / la / précieuse

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La liberté est précieuse

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Check the dictionary or look for endings like -tion or -té.

You will be understood, but it sounds unnatural.

Yes, it becomes 'l''.

It means 'a' or 'an' for feminine nouns.

Only for feminine people.

It's better to memorize it.

Yes, many. Always check.

Use flashcards with articles.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

la/una

Some nouns differ in gender.

German moderate

die/eine

German has a neuter gender.

Japanese none

None

No gender system.

Arabic moderate

al-

Arabic uses prefixes.

Chinese none

None

No gender system.

English low

the/a

English is gender-neutral.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Common Masculine Nouns (Le / Un)
Next
French Definite Articles: The (le, la, l', les)

Related Videos

French Gender of Nouns - Masculine and Feminine / French Grammar Course Lesson 3 18:50 YouTube

French Gender of Nouns - Masculine and Feminine / French Grammar Course Lesson 3

The perfect French with Dylane
Ask a French Teacher #1 - How Can I Tell if a Noun is Masculine or Feminine? 4:16 YouTube

Ask a French Teacher #1 - How Can I Tell if a Noun is Masculine or Feminine?

Learn French with FrenchPod101.com
Feminine or Masculine words in French? Understanding French genders! 5:49 YouTube

Feminine or Masculine words in French? Understanding French genders!

Learn French With Alexa

Related Grammar Rules

A1

French Plurals: Just Add -s

Overview In French, forming the plural of nouns is a foundational grammatical concept. For the vast majority of nouns, t...
A1

French Numbers 0-100 (Les nombres)

Overview French cardinal numbers, `les nombres cardinaux`, are fundamental for communication, expressing quantity, time,...
A1

Common Masculine Nouns (Le / Un)

Overview In French, every noun, whether it represents a person, place, thing, or abstract concept, possesses a grammatic...
A2

Some & Any: French Partitive Articles (du, de la, des)

Overview In French, expressing the concept of “some” or “any” for an unspecified quantity of a noun is fundamental. Unli...
B2

General Concepts: Using 'Le', 'La', 'Les' for Abstract Ideas

Overview In French, one of the most fundamental principles is that nouns rarely appear without a determiner. This contr...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!