French grammar: les articles partitifs

What this grammar point covers

Partitive articles in French are small words used before nouns to talk about an unspecified quantity of something, usually food, drink, or things you can't count easily.

When to use it

Use partitive articles when talking about some amount of something, not a specific item or a countable number. They are common with food, drinks, and other uncountable nouns.

Key forms

• du (masculine singular)
• de la (feminine singular)
• de l’ (before a vowel or silent h)
• des (plural)

Examples

Tips

• After a negative verb (like 'ne...pas'), use 'de' or 'd’' instead of the partitive article.
• Do not use partitive articles with things you can count (like 'une pomme', 'trois livres').
• Remember to use 'de l’' before words starting with a vowel or silent h.

Exceptions and edge cases

• After expressions of quantity (like 'beaucoup de', 'un peu de'), use only 'de' or 'd’', not the partitive article.