Partitive articles – du, de la, de l', des
Some bread, some water
French uses the partitive article for an unspecified amount of something, usually things you don't count: bread, water, courage, time. English often says some or nothing at all.
The forms
| masculine | du (de + le) |
|---|---|
| feminine | de la |
| before a vowel / mute h | de l' |
| plural | des |
- Je voudrais du pain.I'd like some bread.
- Tu veux de la confiture ?Do you want some jam?
- Il boit de l'eau.He's drinking water.
- Elle mange des pâtes.She's eating pasta.
In English you can drop some. In French you can't: Je bois eau.
Partitive vs definite article
- Du / de la: some, a quantity of it. Je bois du café. (I drink coffee: some coffee)
- Le / la: it in general, or a specific one. J'aime le café. (I like coffee in general)
- J'achète du fromage parce que j'adore le fromage.I'm buying cheese because I love cheese.
Abstract things
- Il a du courage.He's brave (has courage).
- Tu as de la chance !You're lucky!
- Il fait du sport.He does sport.
When it becomes de
- After a negative: Je ne bois pas de café. (Indefinite articles after negation)
- After quantities: beaucoup de café, un kilo de pommes, un verre d'eau.
Practice
- Je voudrais _____ fromage.Options: du · de la · le
Show the answer
du
- Tu veux _____ eau ?Options: de l' · du · de la
Show the answer
de l'
- Elle achète _____ salade.Options: de la · du · de l'
Show the answer
de la
- Nous mangeons _____ épinards.Options: des · du · de
Show the answer
des
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.