Les VS des in general things

Question

There's a lesson saying that we use le/la/les with general things. However, in a writing practise, the sentence "when it's hot, I prefer to eat mixed salads" is translated as "quand il fait chaud, je prefere manger des salades composees", why do we use "des" (meaning some) here instead of "les" (meaning salads in general)?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Hà Thu,
In English, you can omit ‘some’ but not in French:

Je préfère manger des salades mixtes = I prefer to eat (some) mixed  salads
Je préfère manger des fruits = I prefer eating (some) fruits

J’aime les fruits rouges = I love berries (all types of)
J’aime les chiens = I love dogs (all types of)

I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée!

Answer

Pamela, I would like to know all the words that is use with articles, la, le and les, for example aimer, detested, etc.Many thanks