The articles in French (“the”, “a”, “some” in English) have three criteria for their formation.

1. The gender of the noun.
2. The first letter of the noun.
3. Whether the noun is singular or plural.

french online

Definite Articles

Singular Forms

le is the definite article for singular masculine nouns.
la is the definite article for singular feminine nouns.
An important note:  if a word begins with a vowel, the article will be reduced to l’ and is pronounced as part of the first syllable of the word.

le restaurant
le livre
the restaurant
the book
la rue
la maison
the street
the house
l’amithe friend

Plural Form

les is the definite article for all plural words. When “les” is followed by a noun that begins with a vowel, the ‘s’ of “les” is pronounced like a ‘z’ at the beginning of that word.

les restaurants
les rues
les amis
the restaurants
the streets
the friends

Indefinite Articles

Singular Forms

un is the definite article for singular masculine nouns.
une is the definite article for feminine masculine nouns.

un restaurant
un livre
a restaurant
a book
une rue
une maison
a street
a house

Plural Form

des is the indefinite article for all plural words. When “des” is followed by a noun that begins with a vowel, the ‘s’ of “les” is pronounced like a ‘z’ at the beginning of that word.

des restaurants
des livres
some restaurants
some books
des rues
des maisons
some streets
some houses

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