French grammar - The partitive articles - du, de la and des |
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Another common use of the word de is as a partitive. This is like the words 'some' or 'any' in English. • The singular partitive article refers to an unspecified quantity of an uncountable noun - like liquids, powders and grains. -- The singular forms are de la (feminine) and du (masculine) with the contraction de l' if the noun starts with a vowel or a mute h. • A plural partitive article des is used with undefined qualities of countable items - like people, machines, buildings etc. -- The plural form is des regardless of gender. The partitive article should agree with the noun in gender and number. |
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Je veux de l'eau.
I want (some) water.
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Avez-vous du pain à la maison ?
Do you (formal) have (any) bread at home?
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Voulez-vous du café ?
Do you (formal) want (some) coffee?
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Tu peux avoir de la viande.
You (familiar) can have (some) meat.
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As-tu de l'huile d'olive ?
Do you (familiar) have (any) olive oil?
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Les enfants veulent du lait ce matin.
The children want (some) milk this morning. |
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Je veux de la salade et des pâtes.
I want (some) salad and (some) pasta.
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Vous voulez du vin blanc, n'est-ce pas ?
You (formal) want (some) white wine, don't you? |
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As-tu de l'argent ?
Do you (familiar) have any money?
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Elle veut du beurre sur sa baguette.
She wants (some) butter on her baguette.
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Voici du gâteau. C'est un petit morceau du gâteau.
Here's some cake. It's a small piece of the cake.
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Il y a de la glace sur ta chemise.
There is some ice-cream on your (familiar) shirt.
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Vous voulez des légumes ?
Do you (formal) want (some) vegetables?
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Dans la vitrine il y a des gâteaux qui sont très beaux.
In the window there are (some) cakes which are very beautiful. |
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Y a-t-il des lettres dans la boîte à lettres ?
Are there (any) letters in the mailbox?
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Elle a des amies formidables.
She has wonderful friends.
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Avez-vous des livres dans votre valise ?
Do you (formal) have (any) books in your suitcase? |
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Le professeur a de la patience.
The teacher has (some) patience.
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Tu as de la chance.
You (familiar) are lucky. *OR* You are having some luck.
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