How do we know when "de" refers to "from" or partitive article "some"?

C. J.A1Kwiziq community member

For example: "Marie achète du café"

Le café is a location and a drink.

Couldn't this sentence means both "Marie buys a coffee" and "Marie buys from the cafe"?

How do we know when "de" refers to "from" and when it refers to "some"?

Thank you!

Asked 5 years ago

CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi C,

‘Marie prend un café au Café ‘ would be ‘Marie is having a coffee in a Café.’

The use of ‘acheter’ can only mean she is a shop and buying some coffee.

Like15 years ago

Ch L.A0Kwiziq community member

Think of what makes more sense in the context you, the exam, or the person you are talking with uses it.

Like05 years ago

For example: "Marie achète du café"

Le café is a location and a drink.

Couldn't this sentence means both "Marie buys a coffee" and "Marie buys from the cafe"?

How do we know when "de" refers to "from" and when it refers to "some"?

Thank you!

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