Partitive Articles

Salut Nastia,

This is tricky because it depends on what you are referring to.

1) Are you referring to a meal you already started and want to complete eating? --> La salade.

2) Are you planning to make such a meal from scratch? --> Je prépare des salade (some) 

(You are bringing together all of the ingredients required)

3) Are you placing an order in a restaurant --> Je vais prendre de la salade.

I would be interested in seeing others' comments on this issue. This is how I understand it and hope that it helps.

Bonne continuation,

Jim

Here's the difference between these three ways of referring to a salad you're eating:

Je mange de la salade. -- This emphasizes the general substance/food type. More like "I'm eating salad" (as a type of food). It focuses on the act of eating salad in general.

Je mange une salade. -- This emphasizes that it's one complete salad/serving. MMore like "I'm eating a salad" (as a dish). Focuses on it being a single, complete portion,

Je mange la salade. -- This refers to a specific salad that has been previously mentioned or is known in context. More like "I'm eating the salad" (that particular one). Could be used, for example, if someone made a salad for the meal and you're eating it, or if you're eating the salad you ordered.