Just when I thought I had all this sorted ! In an English novel about a house in France, there are two old derelict buildings one formerly housed pigs and the other was formerly used for making bread. They nick named the first one la maison de cochons and the other la maison du pain. Why the de / du and not just de for both since they are just names ?
De in a name.
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Michael R.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
De in a name.
This question relates to:French lesson "Du/de la/de l'/des = Some/any (French Partitive Articles)"
Asked 5 years ago
Hi Michael,
Just be careful as 'de' can mean 'made of' -
La maison de bois = house made of wood
La maison de pierres = house made of stones
La maison de pain = house made of bread
I would have said 'la maison des cochons' rather than 'de cochons' , but it might just be an error, authors make mistakes too...
Chris W. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Here's an attempt to render the difference in English.
Maison de cochons -- Pighouse
Maison de pain -- Breadhouse
Maison du pain -- House of Bread
Michael R. asked:
De in a name.
Just when I thought I had all this sorted ! In an English novel about a house in France, there are two old derelict buildings one formerly housed pigs and the other was formerly used for making bread. They nick named the first one la maison de cochons and the other la maison du pain. Why the de / du and not just de for both since they are just names ?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level