French partitive articles

The partitive articles in French are an essential part of grammar and often present difficulties for learners of Spanish. This is because there is no exact equivalent in Spanish, which can lead to omitting their translation. However, in French they are compulsory and their use is essential for speaking correctly.

In this article, we will explore in depth what partitive articles are in French, how they are formed, when they are used and what their exceptions are.

What are they?

The partitive articles are used to express an indefinite quantity of a noun. They are used when the context does not require the quantity to be specified or when the noun is uncountable. In English, they are translated as "some of" or "a little of".

They are mainly used with:

• Food and beverages: du pain (bread), de la soupe (soup), de l'eau (water), des fruits (fruits).
• Abstract nouns: du courage (courage), de la patience (patience), de l'amour (love).

How are they formed? 

The partitive articles in French are formed by combining the preposition "of" with the definite articles:

• DuFor masculine singular nouns. Example: Je mange du fromage (Like cheese).
• From theFor feminine singular nouns. Example: Elle boit de la citronnade (She drinks lemonade).
• De l'For singular nouns beginning with a vowel or silent "h". Example: Il boit de l'eau (Drink water).
• DesFor plural nouns. Example: Ils mangent des légumes (They eat vegetables).

Expression of quantities 

The partitive articles in French are used in the following cases:

• To express an indefinite quantity: Je bois du café (I drink coffee).
• With uncountable nouns: Il y a de la neige (There is snow).
• After certain expressions of quantityIn this case, the partitive "des" becomes "de". Example: J'ai beaucoup de travail (I have a lot of work to do).

Exceptions and Special Cases

There are some special rules that modify the use of the partitive articles in French:

• After a denial: The partitive becomes from o d'. Example: Je ne mange pas de viande (I don't eat meat).
• With the verb "êtreThe definite or indefinite article is used instead of the partitive. Example: C'est du chocolat (It's chocolate).
• With preferred verbs (aimer, adorer, préférer, détester): The definite article is used. Example: J'aime le chocolat (I like chocolate).

Additional Examples

• Tu veux du pain? (Do you want bread?).
• Elle a de la chance (She is lucky).
• We put in olive oil (We add olive oil).
• Ils achètent des fruits (They buy fruit).
• Il n'y a pas de problème (No problem).
• J'ai besoin de patience (I need patience).

Exercise for Practising Partitive Articles in French

Fill in the blanks with the correct partitive article:

1. Au petit déjeuner, je bois __ thé et je mange __ pain avec __ beurre.
2. Ils font __ sport le week-end : __ jogging, __ tennis ou __ natation.
3. Elle écoute généralement __ rock mais elle aime aussi écouter __ reggae.
4. Tu prends __ sucre ou __ lait avec ton café ?
5. Vous avez __ temps ce soir pour faire __ shopping after work ?
6. Il a __ argent pour acheter __ soda et __ alcool pour sa fête d'anniversaire.
7. Mes sœurs font __ musique : Louise joue __ piano and Anna joue __ batterie.
8. Dans ce film, il y __ action, __ suspense and __ humour.
9. Your ace __ temps ce week-end pour venir m'aider à faire __ peinture chez moi ?
10. Il a fait __ ménage chez lui et il a retrouvé __ argent dans son canapé !

Exercise Correction

1. du thé, du pain, du beurre.
2. du sport, du jogging, du tennis, of the natation.
3. du rock, du reggae.
4. du sucre, du lait.
5. du temps, du shopping.
6. de l'argent, du soda, de l'alcohol.
7. of the musique, du piano, of the batterie.
8. de l'action, du suspense, de l'humour.
9. du temps, of the peinture.
10. du ménage, de l'argent.

Global 4 Languages advises you:

• Practice with examplesThe best way to learn is to use lots of examples.
• Pay attention to gender and numberUse the correct article for the noun.
• Memorise the exceptions: Familiarise yourself with the special rules.
• Listen and read in FrenchExposure to the language will help you to internalise the partitive articles in French.

If you want to go deeper, you can find out more about our free in-company French coursesthrough our website