which one?

D. A.C1Kwiziq community member

which one?

This distinction, as explained, is very tricky for me. I don't grasp the difference in meaning.  Oh well....

Asked 2 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

la moitié de qqc -- half of something. La moitié is always a noun.
Demi can be either a noun or an adjective, depending on how you use it.

une demi-heure -- a half-hour (here it is used as a prefix, which makes it a noun)
une heure et demie -- an hour and a half. (here it's used as an adjective for the implied noun "heure).

Demi  is usually used as a prefix with an easily recognizable unit like une demi-bouteille, une demi-heure, un demi-litre, etc. When used as such, it is always demi, never demie. But when you use it as "et demi", its gender is matched with the noun: une heure et demie, un litre et demi.

 

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Chris,

If you could specify where you are unclear on this particular lesson I'm sure that one of us will try to help you.

Also have a look here where we dealt with a similar issue:-

totally-confused-when-to-use-demi-or-moitie

Bonne Journée.

Jim

D. A. asked:View original

which one?

This distinction, as explained, is very tricky for me. I don't grasp the difference in meaning.  Oh well....

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