En, dans, (in, to) with regions, states, and provinces

N. Hilary (Shamrockhill) W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

En, dans, (in, to) with regions, states, and provinces

The basic lesson here is very easily understood: regions/states/counties are either feminine, masculine, or plural, (just as countries and continents). "En" is used to express "in/to" with feminine regions/states/counties ; "dans le" is used to express "in/to" with masculine regions/states/counties. Suisse cantons have their own system which is also very clear.

I think the challenge all of us learners are having is knowing whether an area is masculine or feminine. I was able to answer both questions in my first test of this lesson only because I was familiar with la Bretagne, (from "la Grande Bretagne"); and having lived in Nimes and Montpellier as an exchange student, (many, many years ago), I remembered that it was "Le Rousillon"

Is there a website or a list somewhere of all the U.S. states, the provinces and regions of France, Canada, Great Britain, etc. and their genders? It would be immensely helpful. For example, I learned from the lesson examples that Illinois and New Jersey are masculine, but I don't know about the state of Missouri where I live, (just across the Mississippi from Illinois).

Thank you for your help. Even though it is a bit challenging, this is a great topic.

Asked 2 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Shamrockhill, 

What I would suggest is to do a search as if you were going to visit the USA as a French person.

My question was - visiter les Etats-Unis 

and this one came up -

https://www.routard.com/guide_a_voir/etats_unis.htm

 

but there will be others. and make yourself a list of the states you are particularly, interested in like 

le Missouri ,  le Mississippi,  l'Illinois 

https://www.amb-usa.fr/illinois/

 

You will soon find out whether they are masculine or feminine.

Hope this helps! 

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Shamrockhill,

You might find this link and the others from it helpful:-

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/geographical-prepositions-continents-countries/

Bonne continuation

Jim

En, dans, (in, to) with regions, states, and provinces

The basic lesson here is very easily understood: regions/states/counties are either feminine, masculine, or plural, (just as countries and continents). "En" is used to express "in/to" with feminine regions/states/counties ; "dans le" is used to express "in/to" with masculine regions/states/counties. Suisse cantons have their own system which is also very clear.

I think the challenge all of us learners are having is knowing whether an area is masculine or feminine. I was able to answer both questions in my first test of this lesson only because I was familiar with la Bretagne, (from "la Grande Bretagne"); and having lived in Nimes and Montpellier as an exchange student, (many, many years ago), I remembered that it was "Le Rousillon"

Is there a website or a list somewhere of all the U.S. states, the provinces and regions of France, Canada, Great Britain, etc. and their genders? It would be immensely helpful. For example, I learned from the lesson examples that Illinois and New Jersey are masculine, but I don't know about the state of Missouri where I live, (just across the Mississippi from Illinois).

Thank you for your help. Even though it is a bit challenging, this is a great topic.

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