la

la
A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., le, la).
definite article
1.
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la pomme).
(feminine)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., le chat).
(singular)
(used to talk about someone or something specific)
a. the
La neige commence à fondre.The snow is starting to melt.
2.
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la pomme).
(feminine)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., le chat).
(singular)
(used to talk about something in general)
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Je pouvais sentir la colère commencer à monter.I could feel anger starting to rise.
On dit souvent que la patience est une vertu.It's often said that patience is a virtue.
b. the
Le plus gros animal au monde est la baleine bleue.The largest animal in the world is the blue whale.
3.
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la pomme).
(feminine)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., le chat).
(singular)
(used with a body part)
a. my
Je me suis foulé la cheville.I sprained my ankle.
b. your
Vous vous êtes tous les deux foulé la cheville.You both sprained your ankle.
Tu t'es foulé la cheville.You sprained your ankle.
c. his (male possessor)
Il s'est foulé la cheville.He sprained his ankle.
d. her (female possessor)
Elle s'est foulé la cheville.She sprained her ankle.
e. its (not used for people as possessors)
Le cheval s'est foulé la jambe.The horse sprained its leg.
f. our
Nous nous sommes tous les deux foulé la cheville.We both sprained our ankles.
g. their
Ils se sont tous les deux foulé la cheville.They both sprained their ankles.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., elle, lui).
pronoun
4.
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la pomme).
(feminine)
(direct object)
a. her
Tu connais Margot ? - Oui, je la connais depuis longtemps.Do you know Margot? - Yes, I've known her for a long time.
b. it (not used for people)
Cette robe est très confortable. Je la porte très souvent.This dress is very comfortable. I wear it very often.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., l’homme, le soleil).
masculine noun
a. A
Le premier accord que j’ai appris à jouer à la guitare était un la.The first chord I learned how to play on the guitar was an A.
Examples
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