Partitive articles and "de"

Question

As an alternative to "des aiguilles de pin," can one write "d'aiguilles de pins"? Or is "des aiguilles" appropriate because (as I suppose is the case)
"aiguilles" are considered uncountable here? And why "de pin" instead of "de pins"?

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Richard,
You could write "l'odeur d'aiguilles de pin" as "de pin" would refer to the type of smell. However, the translation would be a bit different: the pine needles smell. Also, using "l'odeur des aiguilles des pins" would not work as the person is referring to the type of smell rather than specific pine trees ; hence, "de pin".
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Alan Graham · Answer

If the expression is "l'odeur des aiguilles de pin", then des must be the combination of de + les, so this is the definite article, I think.I suppose it refers to pine needles in general, i.e. as a class, so the definite article is appropriate. It could also mean the specific pine needles in the vicinity, but then the English translation would be "the smell of the pine needles".