Gender of instruments?

Elise J.A1Kwiziq community member

Gender of instruments?

In these examples, instruments that end in -e are feminine while those that don't are masculine. Does this usually hold true?
Asked 7 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer
Bonjour Elise !

It is indeed generally the case, except for a few exceptions (as usual!):
le saxophone, le violoncelle (cello), l'orgue (organ), and le trombone.

Have a look at our vocabulary list of music instruments (whose link I have now added to this lesson):
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/studylists/view/1188564">https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/studylists/view/1188564">https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/studylists/view/1188564">https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/studylists/view/1188564

Bonne journée !
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer
Bonjour Elise !

It is indeed generally the case, except for a few exceptions (as usual!):
le saxophone, le violoncelle (cello), l'orgue (organ), and le trombone.

Have a look at our vocabulary list of music instruments (whose link I have now added to this lesson):
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/studylists/view/1188564">https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/studylists/view/1188564">https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/studylists/view/1188564">https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/studylists/view/1188564

Bonne journée !
Ron T.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonsoir Elise, While your observation appears to be true about musical instruments, it also holds true for many countries, regions etc. Keeping that in mind, here is a site link that gives many musical instruments in English with the French counterpart name and gender (noted by the use of le, la, les and l'. http://www.french-linguistics.co.uk/phrase_book/en/music.html While I am not familiar with this resource, a quick read seems to be correct. J'espère que ma réponse vous aidera. Bonne chance et bonne continuation dans vos études en français, la langue de Molière et qui a été utilisé par le monde depuis l’époque d’Hugues Capet

Gender of instruments?

In these examples, instruments that end in -e are feminine while those that don't are masculine. Does this usually hold true?

Sign in to submit your answer

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
Let me take a look at that...