Totally confused when to use demi or moitié

Celena P.B1Kwiziq community member

Totally confused when to use demi or moitié

J’ai bu une demi-bouteille.

J’ai bu la moitié de la bouteille.

Nous n’utilisons qu’une moitie du sac de riz.

Il mange qu’une moitie du biscuit.

Can someone explain in a different way from the lesson... which basically says they mean the same.


Asked 3 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Celena,

"Moitié"   is a noun.    "Demi-"    is a prefix

If you go to buy (say) wine, you can buy a half bottle of wine rather than a full bottle.

Je voudrais acheter une demi-bouteille de vin.

You may then decide to drink only half of the contents (la moitié) leaving the rest until another time.

There are a number of further examples but I think that you will see the point between each word in my brief example.

Does this help?

Jim

Totally confused when to use demi or moitié

J’ai bu une demi-bouteille.

J’ai bu la moitié de la bouteille.

Nous n’utilisons qu’une moitie du sac de riz.

Il mange qu’une moitie du biscuit.

Can someone explain in a different way from the lesson... which basically says they mean the same.


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