How to understand its a definite or indefinite articles in french

Samuel S.A0Kwiziq community member

How to understand its a definite or indefinite articles in french

Asked 6 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Samuel,

The difference between definite and indefinite articles is actually important in French as many mistakes are made by confusing them as sometimes in  English no article is used ...

e.g.

J'aime les chats tigrés = I like tabby cats 

You use the definite article 'les' as it is presumed you like all the cats who come under that specification.

J'ai des chats très exigeants à la maison! = I have (some) very demanding cats at home! 

In this example you don't know which cats you are referring to , how many there are or what type of cats , so you use the indefinite article 'des'.

For more details take a look at the following lessons on each set of articles:  

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/my-languages/french/glossary/4

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/my-languages/french/glossary/4

Hope this helps!

 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Elle a des chats. -- She has (some) cats. -- indefinite

Elle aime les chats. -- She likes cats. -- definite

 

Odushola T.A2Kwiziq community member

The=le/la/les =definite; when talking about something in particular(noun)

A=un/une/des =indefinite; when talking about nothing in particular, just generally.

How to understand its a definite or indefinite articles in french

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