Partitive vs Definite Articles

French articles tell us about the quantity of a noun. Definite articles (le, la, l', les) refer to specific things. They also refer to general concepts or totalities. If you say J'aime le chocolat, you love all chocolate. It is a general truth about your taste. Partitive articles (du, de la, de l') refer to unknown amounts. They are used for uncountable things. If you say Je mange du chocolat, you are eating some of it. You are not eating every chocolate bar in existence. That would be a very long day for your stomach! Use the definite article for the "whole" or "specific." Use the partitive for a "part" or "some."

1. 1Creating these articles is a simple two-step process.
2. 2For Definite Articles (The):
3. 3Use le for masculine singular nouns: le pain.
4. 4Use la for feminine singular nouns: la soupe.
5. 5Use l' before any singular noun starting with a vowel: l'eau.
6. 6Use les for all plural nouns: les pommes.
7. 7For Partitive Articles (Some):
8. 8Use du for masculine singular nouns: du pain.
9. 9Use de la for feminine singular nouns: de la soupe.
10. 10Use de l' before any singular noun starting with a vowel: de l'eau.
11. 11Use des for plural nouns when the quantity is vague: des pommes.

You use definite articles in three main scenarios. First, for specific items you already mentioned. Le gâteau est sur la table (The specific cake). Second, for general categories. Le sport est bon pour la santé (Sport in general). Third, after verbs of preference. These include aimer, adorer, préférer, and détester. You always love "the" thing, never "some" of the thing.

You use partitive articles for things you cannot easily count. This is very common with food and drink. Je veux de l'eau (I want some water). It is also used for abstract qualities. Il a du courage (He has some courage). Think of it as a portion of a larger mass. If you are at a cafe, you use the partitive to order. Je voudrais du café, s'il vous plaît. You are asking for a cup, not the entire world supply of beans.

There are two big "stop signs" for partitive articles.

1. 1Negative Sentences: This is a golden rule. In a negative sentence, du, de la, and des all turn into de or d'.

• Je mange du pain becomes Je ne mange pas de pain.
• Elle a de la chance becomes Elle n'a pas de chance.

1. 1Specific Quantities: If you use a word like "a lot," "a bottle," or "a kilo," the partitive disappears. You use de instead.

• Un verre de vin (A glass of wine).
• Beaucoup de sucre (A lot of sugar).
• Trop de sel (Too much salt).

The biggest mistake is using the partitive after aimer. Many people say J'aime du café. This sounds very strange to French ears. It literally means "I love some of the coffee." Remember: preferences always use le, la, or les.

Another mistake is forgetting the negative de. Students often say Je n'ai pas du temps. It must be Je n'ai pas de temps. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired!

Finally, do not forget the contraction. De + le always becomes du. Never write de le unless you want your French teacher to have a tiny heart attack. Keep it smooth and contracted.

It helps to compare the partitive with the indefinite article (un, une).

• Use un/une for whole, countable items. Je mange une pomme (I am eating one whole apple).
• Use du/de la for uncountable items. Je mange du riz (I am eating some rice). You wouldn't count every grain!

Compare this to English. In English, we say "I drink milk." In French, you must say "I drink some milk" (Je bois du lait). French is much more strict about having an article before a noun. If there is no article, the sentence usually feels naked and cold. Give your nouns some clothes!