← French
French • Level 0 • GRAMMAR

indefinite article

💡 Grammar Rule

The Indefinite Articles (Les articles indéfinis)

In French, indefinite articles are used to refer to people or things that are not specifically identified or are unknown to the listener. They correspond to "a," "an," or "some" in English.

1. The Forms

  • Un: Used with masculine singular nouns.
    • un livre (a book)
  • Une: Used with feminine singular nouns.
    • une table (a table)
  • Des: Used with plural nouns (both masculine and feminine).
    • des livres (some books / books)

Note: Do not confuse the plural article des with the contraction de + les (meaning "of the" or "from the").

2. Usage

Indefinite articles are used in the following contexts:

  • Before countable nouns: When referring to items that can be counted.
    • J’ai une idée ! (I have an idea!)
  • Unidentified people or things: When the specific identity is unknown.
    • Un client a appelé. (A client called.)
    • J’ai trouvé des gants par terre. (I found some gloves on the floor.)
  • When a noun is made more specific: By an adjective, a complement, or a clause.
    • un paysage magnifique (a magnificent landscape)
    • un paysage d’hiver (a winter landscape)
    • un paysage qui fait rêver (a landscape that makes you dream)
  • General meaning: To express a general truth about a category.
    • Une banane s’épluche facilement. (A banana peels easily.)

3. Special Case: Plural Nouns with Adjectives

When a plural noun is preceded by an adjective, the article des usually changes to de.

  • J’ai acheté de jolies roses. (I bought some pretty roses.)
  • Il a fait de grands progrès. (He has made great progress.)

In modern casual French, des is often kept (e.g., il a eu des bonnes notes), but de remains the standard for formal writing.

4. Fixed Units

The article des is retained if the adjective and noun are considered a single fixed unit or compound noun:

  • des petits pois (peas)
  • des jeunes gens (young people)
  • des grands magasins (department stores)
  • des petits pains (bread rolls)
Do you have a book?
As-tu un livre ?
Yes, I have a book.
Oui, j’ai un livre.
I see a dog.
Je vois un chien.
It is a big dog.
C’est un grand chien.
Is there a free table?
Y a-t-il une table libre ?
Yes, there is a table there.
Oui, il y a une table là-bas.
She has an idea.
Elle a une idée.
It is a good idea!
C’est une bonne idée !
Do you want some oranges?
Tu veux des oranges ?
Yes, I want some oranges.
Oui, je veux des oranges.
They are buying some pens.
Ils achètent des stylos.
They are blue pens.
Ce sont des stylos bleus.
Is he a friend of yours?
Est-ce un ami à toi ?
Yes, he is a friend from school.
Oui, c’est un ami de l’école.
We have some problems.
Nous avons des problèmes.
They are big problems.
Ce sont de gros problèmes.
Do you have a car?
Tu as une voiture ?
No, I have a bicycle.
Non, j’ai une bicyclette.
Look, a bird!
Regarde, un oiseau !
It is a very pretty bird.
C’est un très bel oiseau.
Are there cats here?
Y a-t-il des chats ici ?
Yes, there are some cats in the garden.
Oui, il y a des chats dans le jardin.
I bought some flowers.
J’ai acheté des fleurs.
They are beautiful flowers.
Ce sont de jolies fleurs.
Is it a movie?
C’est un film ?
Yes, it is a funny movie.
Oui, c’est un film amusant.
He is eating a banana.
Il mange une banane.
A banana peels easily.
Une banane s’épluche facilement.
Do you want some peas?
Tu veux des petits pois ?
Yes, please.
Oui, s’il vous plaît.
I found some gloves.
J’ai trouvé des gants.
Are they black gloves?
Ce sont des gants noirs ?
Is there a bank nearby?
Il y a une banque près d’ici ?
Yes, there is a bank there.
Oui, il y a une banque là-bas.
Look at those shops.
Regarde ces magasins.
They are department stores.
Ce sont des grands magasins.
Is she looking for a job?
Elle cherche un travail ?
Yes, she reads the ads.
Oui, elle lit des petites annonces.
I’m buying a snack.
J’achète un goûter.
Take a chocolate bun.
Prends un petit pain au chocolat.
Who called?
Qui a appelé ?
A client called.
Un client a appelé.
It is a landscape.
C’est un paysage.
It is a landscape that makes you dream.
C’est un paysage qui fait rêver.
Do you have siblings?
Tu as des frères et sœurs ?
I have a brother and a sister.
J’ai un frère et une sœur.
He uses bad words.
Il utilise des gros mots.
He is a bad boy.
C’est un mauvais garçon.
Do you have a question?
Tu as une question ?
Yes, I have a doubt.
Oui, j’ai un doute.

Ready to reach fluency in French? Download drillify for Android. Master the language with rigorous audio drills and unlock all lessons.

Download drillify
Open Play Store