Partitive article vs definite article

Question

Kwiz question:Vous mangez de la dinde à Noël ? - Non, on ne mange jamais ________ dinde à Noël. Do you eat turkey at Christmas? - No, we never eat turkey at Christmas.Please explain why the answer is “de.” I know the partitive article becomes “de” in negative sentences. My confusion is why is it “de” and not “la?” I would think it’d be “la” because you’re talking about turkey in general. Is it a partitive article because the question uses a partitive article?Could you also ask: Vous mangez la dinde à Noël? Non, on ne mange jamais la dinde à Noël. Is there a lesson/discussion link that addresses when to use the partitive vs the definite article? I haven’t been able to find one. Many thanks for your help!

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Lisa !
Please take a look at the following Kwiziq lesson->
 
https://french.kwiziq.com/my-languages/french/view/21?rts=
Here is what the Grammar Jargon mentions distinguishing between the uses of definite and partitive articles-
Grammar jargon: Names for uncountable things like milk are sometimes called mass nouns as well as uncountable nouns. Partitive articles, du, de la, & de l' (some/any) are used with mass nouns. Definite articles (le, la, l', les)and indefinite articles (un/une/des) are used with countable nouns.

Answer

I'm not sure that this is really the answer to the question. I think Lisa is asking why sometimes the partitive article is used for taking about things in general, and sometimes not. e.g.

Je mange de la dinde.

J'aime la dinde.

The difference is that aimer is a verb of preference, while manger is a verb of consumption. I don't think there is a lesson that explains this. It's a pity, because I wonder about all the other verbs that don't obviously fit into one category or the other.

Answer

Thank you Shrey and Alan for taking the time to answer! Both answers helped.