Why would you say, J’ai bu un tiers de la bouteille, when bouteille is feminine?

Mary M.A1Kwiziq community member

Why would you say, J’ai bu un tiers de la bouteille, when bouteille is feminine?

This question relates to:French lesson "Ordinal vs Cardinal numbers - Differences between French and English usages"

Asked 6 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Mary,

Yes, "la bouteille" is feminine but "un tiers" is masculine. So "un tiers de la bouteille".

-- Chris (not a native speaker).

Like06 years ago

steven l.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

So then why not say "J'ai bu une tierce de la bouteille"?

Like06 years ago

Michelle P.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

But tierce is used in the other example to agree with the feminine personne. So, like Steven, I'm not understanding the reasoning here. Doesn't tiers/tierce, agree with the noun like premier/première and second/seconde do?

Like06 years ago

Mary M. asked:

Why would you say, J’ai bu un tiers de la bouteille, when bouteille is feminine?

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