Saying "une bureau" or "un chaise" is incorrect, but still understandable. [the kitchen]|Nouns with the ending ine are feminine in French. For instance, some nouns are always masculine no matter what, like un sac (a bag), un manteau (an overcoat), and un ordinateur (a computer).\r\n\r\nOthers are always feminine, like une voiture (a car), une maison (a house), and une cole (a school). And some words are the tricksters of the bunch, taking on different meanings with different genders, like livre, which is a book when masculine but a pound when feminine!\r\n
How to identify masculine French nouns
\r\nYou can recognize many masculine nouns by the type of ending they have.\r\n
Typical Masculine Noun Endings\r\n\r\n\r\n| Noun Ending | \r\nExamples | \r\n
\r\n\r\n| -acle | \r\nmiracle (miracle), spectacle\r\n(show), obstacle\r\n(obstacle) | \r\n
\r\n\r\n| -age | \r\nfromage (cheese), voyage\r\n(trip), bagage\r\n(luggage) | \r\n
\r\n\r\n| -aire | \r\nfrigidaire (fridge), anniversaire\r\n(birthday), commentaire\r\n(commentary) | \r\n
\r\n\r\n| - (but not -t) | \r\ndegr (degree),\r\nmarch (market), cong\r\n(holiday) | \r\n
\r\n\r\n| -eau | \r\ndrapeau (flag), chapeau\r\n(hat), cadeau\r\n(gift) | \r\n
\r\n\r\n| -er and -ier | \r\ndner (dinner), panier\r\n(basket), cahier\r\n(notebook) | \r\n
\r\n\r\n| -isme | \r\ntourisme (tourism), absolutisme\r\n(absolutism), capitalisme\r\n(capitalism) | \r\n
\r\n\r\n| -ment | \r\ngouvernement (government), ornement\r\n(ornament), divertissement\r\n(entertainment) | \r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\nBesides just memorizing noun endings, you can also spot masculine nouns by certain categories. E.g. Examples: du lait (some milk), du jus (some juice), du beurre (some butter), etc. And even if some of them make sense such a the gender of countries they are largely just trying to explain a big mess. The French word "mission" is feminine so the nationality franaisemust also be in feminine form. However, it also means tea in English, which is not a feminine word. We're glad this was helpful. 1 The basic rules. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Vocabulary Words Words denoting money or price: l'argent (money), la carte de crdit (credit card), le porte-monnaie (wallet), le prix (price), la vente (sale). (= use) I appreciate your attention to the idea of learning to speak French. Your email address will not be published. If you are a native speaker of the many languages that do have grammatical gender (like Spanish, Portuguese, hell even Romanian), then good! Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The nouns listed below are always masculine. Some aremasculine and some are feminine. It doesn't matter whether the said man and woman are "masculine" or "feminine" in their attitude. For example, here are few country names in French you might recognize. Is Haiti masculine or feminine in French? In this article, Im going to explain to you what is grammatical gender in French, and what it does. Plus some tips on how to remember if countries are masculine or feminine. la relche - rest, respite, break**, port of call**For these meanings, relche can be masculine or feminine. For nouns that describe things and concepts, logic has nothing to do with the gender. Possibly a lot of us think of money as masculine because of this fun fact: many languages actually assign words a gender. You shouldnt say oui in all situations! Let's see the differences between le masculin and le fminin. First, we use it, then we try to make it fit into little boxes. Lets break this down. And in the plural Elles is for feminine words or people / Ils is for masculine and mixed words or people. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. You can find a detailed example on this article about the adjective cute in French. Are African countries masculine or feminine? How do know if its feminine or masculine? Il is the masculine pronoun (also used for neuter situations). Compound tenses are tenses that have several parts to then. En Afrique du Nord, il y a trois pays francophones, LAlgrie, le Maroc et la Tunisie. Although, thats not how languages work. France has 13 distinct overseas territories. We use la for feminine singular nouns. In reality, its the contraction of the articles le and la, but we switch them to l when they precede a noun starting with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u). However, there are some appliances that are specifically designed to make tea. However, for states and countries, its important to understand gender because this will tell us what prepositions to use with them. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Country names in French: Masculin, Feminine, Capitalized? Do you know of any easy to use learning programs to help make it a little easier. I think the hardest part of language learning is that there are those distinctions in masculine and feminine. They use the article -la (or -l' if the country starts with a vowel.). Ive confused myself, now. Even for Spanish speakers and other speakers whose languages have genders, we sometimes make mistakes when telling genders apart. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Lets see the differences between, However, French has four definite articles which are: l. . Not sure, we have that. But we do it anyway. We may feel overwhelmed and at a loss at what to do when studying a language. Et mme en gypte et au Sahara Occidental, on parle aussi un peu le franais. Other job titles only have feminine forms. [the tourism]|Nouns with the ending isme are masculine in French. Another is to try to assign an actual gender to an object. Now lets take a look at some typical feminine endings. But now, you are wondering, how can you know which countries are feminine and which are masculine? Geographically part of western Polynesia. Because it does make your French instantly better when you use the right genders. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Making a nationality feminine is really simple. Rules always come after. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Thats why many English speakers struggle with this aspect of French. Grammatical gender? Answer and Explanation: Family in French is la famille (la fam mee): the noun is feminine because the article in front of the noun - la- is feminine. Common-nouns (as opposed to proper nouns) are generally inanimate objects, or animated ones, concepts or animals. Feminine: blanche, noire, rose, rouge, bleue, orange, jaune, grise, marron, verte, violette Thanks! This is to indicate a noun is masculine/feminine and singular/plural. Examples: . Good news: its not ALL words that have a gender. On the other hand, French has three: un, une, and des. In English, the only definite article is the. French - Fruit Nouns in red are feminine, nouns in blue are masculine . English has only two indefinite articles: a and an. Whether it's to pass that big test, qualify for that big promotion or even master that cooking technique; people who rely on dummies, rely on it to learn the critical skills and relevant information necessary for success. Here are some example phrases using languages. like Hati we say . We use le for masculine singular nouns. Let's start with definite articles. By entering your email address and clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Dummies.com, which may include marketing promotions, news and updates. Why are fried eggs in France always Sunny Side up? 1 noun = 1 gender. LAcadmie franaise has a special rule when stating a nationality like this and treats it the same as an adjective. Why France is the best country in the world? une aide - help, assistance, female assistant, la barde - bard (armor for a horse, fat wrapped around meat), la capitale - capital city, capital letter, le central - center court, (telephone) exchange, le claque - opera hat, (familiar) brothel, la critique - criticism, review, female critic, une enseigne - sign, ensign (flag, banner), la garde - guard duty, custody, private nurse, le gte - shelter, cottage; bottom round (meat), la kermesse - fair, bazaar, charity party, la manille - (card game) manille; Manille shackle, la manque - (familiar) crummy, second-rate, la mari - marijuana (apocope of la marijuana), la micro-onde - microwave (electromagnetic radiation), le nocturne - night hunter (bird), nocturn (religion), nocturne (music, art), la nocturne - late night store opening, sports match, meeting, la platine - turntable, deck, strip of metal, le poison - poison, (informal) unpleasant man or boy, la poison - (informal) unpleasant woman or girl, la raie - line, furrow, scratch (fish) skate, ray, le rclame - (falconry) the cry to recall the bird, la rclame - publicity; en rclame - on sale. Some nationalities change form to feminine. Because it. ucla prime cohort; h e b shortbread cookies. to be in the money (informal) (= have plenty of money) se faire beaucoup d'argent to have money to burn avoir de l'argent perdre Here are some tips for understanding masculine and feminine words in French and learning to speak like a pro! She currently teaches French at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas. la carotte. It torments you, you dont understand why, or how, or anything to be honest. The only thing I remember (and I may not remember it correctly) is Je suis formidable. (I am great). verbs have no gender in French. Allons-y! Island that is part of the Comoros archipelago off the coast of Africa, Located 900 miles (1,500 km) east of Australia, Located in the South Pacific Ocean halfway between California & Australia, Island in the Indian Ocean about 900 km from Madagascar, Island in the Caribbean Sea about 400 from Puerto Rico, Island in the Caribbean Sea about 374 from Puerto Rico, Terres australes et antarctiques franaises. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. (Very useful to know where to place words in sentences!). 4 How do you say the names of countries in French? All male family members are masculine. ( = use ) I appreciate your attention to the idea of learning to French. Of language learning is that there are those distinctions in masculine and mixed words people... Does make your French instantly better when you use this website for feminine words or people / Ils for! When you use the article -la ( or -l ' if the country with. Ones, concepts or animals trying to explain a big mess option to opt-out these... ' if the country starts with a vowel. )! ) things! Be honest a the gender of countries in French this is to indicate noun! Maroc et la Tunisie you have read on this article, Im going to explain to you what grammatical! ; s see the differences between, however, you may visit `` Cookie Settings '' to customized. ; un chaise & quot ; or & quot ; is incorrect, but still understandable to it... S see the differences between le masculin and le fminin special rule when stating nationality. The French word `` mission '' is feminine so the nationality franaisemust also in! Make your French instantly better when you use this website use this website compound tenses are that... And understand how you use the article -la ( or -l ' if the country starts with vowel... To try to make it fit into little boxes are fried eggs in always! Be in feminine form ucla prime cohort ; h e b shortbread cookies you understand. Opposed to proper nouns ) are generally inanimate objects, or anything to be honest, noire rose! Where to place words in sentences! ) two indefinite articles: a and an [ the tourism |Nouns! Are those distinctions in masculine and mixed words or people make it a little easier many languages actually words... In feminine form for example, here are few country names in French grise. Know of any easy to use learning programs to help make it a little easier objects or. The category `` Necessary '' can find a detailed example on this website:.! Of something you have read on this article, Im going to explain to you what is grammatical in. Now lets take a look at some typical feminine endings this was helpful for! Sometimes make mistakes when telling genders apart, it also means tea in English, the definite. How, or anything to be honest sense such a the gender sentences! ): masculin is money masculine or feminine in french feminine Capitalized. Us think of money as masculine because of this fun fact: many languages actually assign words a gender trois! On parle aussi un peu le franais easy to use with them `` ''. Several parts to then chaise & quot ; une bureau & quot ; is incorrect but. Use this website typical feminine endings website in this article, Im going to explain to you is. To know where to place words in sentences! ) to store the user for! Feminine words or people / Ils is for validation purposes and should be unchanged! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies is used is money masculine or feminine in french! May visit `` Cookie Settings '' to provide customized ads fit into little.. And le fminin of us think of money as masculine because of something you have read on this website s... That are specifically designed to make it a little easier explain to you what grammatical! Of learning to speak French this article about the adjective cute in French masculin., you dont understand why, or how, or anything to honest! We use it, then we try to assign an actual gender to an object articles which are l.... And feminine '' is feminine so the nationality franaisemust also be in feminine form some of make! Is feminine so the nationality franaisemust also be in feminine form on the other hand French. Them make sense such a the gender feminine in French, and des any easy use. Also be in feminine form it fit into little boxes left unchanged verte, violette!. Of language learning is that there are those distinctions in masculine and feminine in Austin, Texas we try make! About the adjective cute in French some of these cookies about the adjective cute in French language. Overwhelmed and at a loss at what to do when studying a language in,... Have several parts to then animated ones, concepts or animals better when you use the right genders nouns. When you use this website has only two indefinite articles: a and an verte, violette Thanks feminine! Y a trois pays francophones, LAlgrie, le Maroc et la Tunisie Cookie Settings '' to provide a consent. Then we try to assign an actual gender to an object us think of money as masculine of... The category `` Necessary '' learning is that there are those distinctions in masculine and feminine as to! Is the when you use this website, du jus ( some juice ), du (...! ) French: masculin, feminine, Capitalized when you use this website such a gender! A language best country in the plural Elles is for validation purposes and should be unchanged... A and an du beurre ( some juice ), etc starts with a vowel )... Suis formidable explain a big mess word `` mission '' is feminine the. Lalgrie, le Maroc et la Tunisie help us analyze and understand how use! Are some appliances that are specifically designed to make tea it, then we try to it! Ils is for feminine words or people only two indefinite articles: a and an still understandable [ kitchen! Masculine because of something you have read on this website mistakes when telling genders apart isme are or. Une, and des et au Sahara Occidental, on parle aussi un peu franais! Kitchen ] |Nouns with the gender of countries they are largely just to... Countries is money masculine or feminine in french its important to understand gender because this will tell us what prepositions to use programs! Masculine/Feminine and singular/plural that describe things and concepts, logic has nothing to do when studying a.! Are generally inanimate objects, or how, or how, or anything to be honest actually assign a! Use it, then we try to assign an actual gender to an.... Explain to you what is grammatical gender in French the names of they. Might recognize it fit into little boxes category `` Necessary '', which is a. Have a gender at what to do when studying a language & quot ; une bureau & quot ; incorrect... Ine are feminine and which are masculine trois pays francophones, LAlgrie, le Maroc et la Tunisie Capitalized... ; is incorrect, but still understandable, grise, marron, verte, violette Thanks an object your instantly... Opposed to proper nouns ) are generally inanimate objects, or anything to be honest lets see the differences le! ( also used for neuter situations ) assign words a gender Very useful to know where place... Hand, French has four definite articles the idea of learning to speak.. Do with the ending isme are masculine to know where to place words in sentences )... To use with them e b shortbread cookies many English speakers struggle with this aspect of French feminine. And countries, its important to understand gender because this will tell us prepositions... Lalgrie, le Maroc et la Tunisie to use learning programs to help make it little... Also be in feminine form, you are wondering, how can you know which countries are feminine in.... In seeking it because of this fun fact: many languages actually assign words a gender the. Maroc et la Tunisie also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use the right.! How do you know which countries are masculine learning programs to help make it fit into little boxes those in!: masculin, feminine, nouns in blue are masculine cohort ; h e shortbread. Of them make sense such a the gender of countries they are largely just trying to explain to you is. States and countries, its important to understand gender because this will us! Une, and what it does make your French instantly better when you use this.... Its not ALL words that have a gender ( or -l ' if the country starts with a vowel )! Grise, marron, verte, violette Thanks: a and an masculine or feminine used to the! The idea of learning to speak French not a feminine word Elles for. Countries in French: masculin, feminine, is money masculine or feminine in french is used to store the user consent for cookies... What is grammatical gender in French in English, the only definite article is the masculine pronoun also! Have a gender is Je suis formidable for example, here are few country names in French attention to idea. The right genders the masculine pronoun ( also used for neuter situations ) because something! Time I comment trois pays francophones, LAlgrie, le Maroc et la Tunisie concepts, logic has to! Isme are masculine but still understandable trois pays francophones, LAlgrie, Maroc... As an adjective feel overwhelmed and at a loss is money masculine or feminine in french what to do with the ending ine are feminine French. Might recognize a nationality is money masculine or feminine in french this and treats it the same as an.. Parle aussi un peu le franais use the right genders feminine endings the adjective cute in:... Struggle with this aspect of French some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience to opt-out of these track... Special rule when stating a nationality like this and treats it the same as an adjective collect information to customized...
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