The (Le, La, L', Les)
Use definite articles: le (masc.), la (fem.), l' (before vowel/h), les (plural). Understand when to use definite articles: French uses them more than English.
A lesson of French A1 — Beginner, in Gender & Articles, about 10 minutes.
By the end of this lesson, you will use the four definite articles correctly and understand when French uses "the" in situations where English omits it.
The Four Definite Articles
| Article | Used with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| le | masculine singular | le livre (the book) |
| la | feminine singular | la table (the table) |
| l' | singular starting with vowel or h | l'ami (the friend), l'heure (the hour) |
| les | plural (any gender) | les livres / les tables (the books / the tables) |
L' — Elision Before Vowels
When a masculine or feminine singular noun begins with a vowel or most h, the article contracts to l':
le + ami → l'ami (the friend, masc.) la + école → l'école (the school, fem.) le + hôtel → l'hôtel (the hotel, masc.)
This elision (dropping the final vowel) is mandatory — you cannot say le ami.
Aspirate h vs. mute h: Most h in French is "mute" — you elide and liaison normally. A small number are "aspirate h" — you don't elide: le hibou (the owl), not l'hibou. These must be memorized.
Les — Liaison Rule
When les is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, you pronounce a linking z sound:
les amis → pronounced "lez-amee" (the friends) les enfants → pronounced "lez-ohn-fohn" (the children)
This liaison is mandatory in careful speech.
When French Uses "Le/La/Les" But English Does Not
This is a major difference between French and English. French uses the definite article:
With general concepts and categories
J'aime le chocolat. — I like chocolate. (generic) La liberté est importante. — Freedom is important. Les chats sont indépendants. — Cats are independent.
With languages (usually)
Je parle le français. — I speak French. Il apprend le japonais. — He's learning Japanese. But: — I speak French fluently. (no article after in some contexts)