Je mange du pain.
English: I eat some bread.
- Language
- French
- Level
- A1
- Unit
- Articles
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Partitive articles in French are words used before uncountable or mass nouns to talk about 'some' or 'a part of' something, like food or drink.
When to use it
Use partitive articles in French when you talk about an unspecified quantity of something you cannot count, such as food, liquids, or other materials. For example, when you want to say you eat or drink some of something.
Key forms
- du (masculine singular)
- de la (feminine singular)
- de l’ (before a vowel or silent h)
- des (plural)
Examples
Elle boit de l'eau.
English: She drinks some water.
Nous achetons de la confiture.
English: We buy some jam.
Ils prennent des légumes.
English: They take some vegetables.
Tips
- Do not use the partitive article with things you can count (like 'une pomme').
- After a negative verb, use 'de' or 'd’' instead of the partitive article (e.g., 'Je ne veux pas de pain.').
- Remember to use 'de l’' before words starting with a vowel or silent h.
Exceptions and edge cases
- After expressions like 'beaucoup de', 'peu de', or 'assez de', use only 'de' or 'd’', not the partitive article.