Learn how to use French partitive articles "du", "de la", and "de l'" to talk about indefinite quantities. This guide explains their forms based on gender and initial sounds, with practical examples like "du pain" and "de l'eau". Understand key differences from English usage and expand your vocabulary with common nouns. Ideal for A1 level learners wanting to improve everyday French communication.
- Partitive articles change according to the gender and number of the noun.
| Article partitif | Devant une consonne | Devant une voyelle ou h muet (Before a vowel or mute h) |
|---|---|---|
| Masculin (Masculine) | Du | De l' |
| Féminin (Feminine) | De la | De l' |
Exercise 1: Les articles partitifs: "Du, De l', De la"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
de la, de l', du
1.
Féminin:
L'épicier vend ... sauce.
(The grocer sells some sauce.)
2.
Masculin:
J'ajoute ... sel au plat.
(I add some salt to the dish.)
3.
Masculin:
Je prends ... âge tous les ans.
(I get older every year.)
4.
Féminin:
Vous prenez ...huile pour cuisiner.
(You are taking some oil to cook with.)
5.
Féminin:
Les filles font les course ...semaine.
(The girls do the week's shopping.)
6.
Masculin:
Veux-tu ... fromage dans ton sandwich ?
(Do you want some cheese in your sandwich?)
7.
Masculin:
Le client compare la taille ... paquet.
(The customer compares the size of the packet.)
8.
Masculin:
Mon frère achète la viande ... boucher.
(My brother buys meat from the butcher.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je voudrais acheter ___ pain à la boulangerie.
(I would like to buy ___ bread at the bakery.)2. Il y a ___ viande fraîche à la boucherie.
(There is ___ fresh meat at the butcher's.)3. Nous prenons ___ eau au supermarché.
(We take ___ water at the supermarket.)4. Le client parle ___ vendeur au marché.
(The customer talks ___ seller at the market.)5. Elle choisit ___ fruits à l'épicerie.
(She chooses ___ fruits at the grocery store.)6. Je compare les prix ___ magasins du centre commercial.
(I compare prices ___ stores in the shopping center.)
