Gender of nouns
1 Definitions A noun is a word which names a person, thing, place, substance or state. Unlike in English, where only nouns referring to living beings are
masculine
or
feminine
, in French all nouns have a
gender
.
For example the French word bateau is masculine and the word table is feminine, even though there is nothing intrinsically masculine or feminine about boats or tables.
2 Gender by category 2.1 Masculine words The following types of word are generally
masculine
:
Words referring to males:
le père
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the father
le fils
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the son
un boucher
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the king
un Français
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a Frenchman
Days, months, seasons, measures:
le mardi
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on Tuesdays
mai dernier
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last May
le printemps
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spring
un kilo
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a kilo
le français
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French
l'espagnol
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Spanish
Countries not ending in -e :
le Canada
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Canada
le Japon
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Japan
Mon frère aîné c’est un boucher.
My older brother’s a butcher.
J’y suis allé le 16 mai.
I went there on 16 May.
C’est le fils de feu Monsieur Durand.
He’s the son of the late Monsieur Durand.
C’est le Portugal qui a gagné le tournoi.
It was Portugal who won the tournament.
J’étudie le français depuis deux ans.
I’ve been studying French for two years.
2.2 Feminine words The following types of word are generally
feminine
:
Words referring to females:
la mère
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the mother
la fille
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the daughter
une coiffeuse
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a hairdresser
une française
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a French woman
Most countries, continents, rivers, vegetables and fruit ending in -e :
la France
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France
la Tamise
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the Thames
une carotte
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a carrot
la pomme
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the apple
une boutique
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a shop
la boucherie
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the baker's
Note
Note that the French word for person is always feminine: une personne
On est allés voir le film La Fille de d’Artagnan.
We went to see the film D’Artagnan’s daughter.
Le lapin mangeait une carotte.
The rabbit was eating a carrot.
Mon professeur de français, Madame Durand, c’est une Française.
My French teacher, Madame Durand, is French.
J’ai demandé un rendez-vous à la secrétaire.
I asked the secretary for a meeting.
Elle a ouvert une boutique de vêtements pour enfants.
She’s opened a children’s clothes shop.
3 Gender by word ending 3.1 Masculine words Words with the following endings are usually
masculine
:
Table 28.3 Feminine word endings hide table Word ending French English – au un tuyau pipe – acle un spectacle show, sight – age un voyage journey – asme le sarcasme sarcasm – eau le bateau boat – ège le sacrilège sacrilege – ème le problème problem – et le paquet packet – isme un organisme body – ment un établissement establishment
Elle vient de cirer le parquet du salon.
She’s just polished the parquet floor in the living room.
Nous voulons faire changer le carrelage de la cuisine.
We’d like to change the tiled floor in the kitchen.
Le problème, c’est qu’elle n’est pas encore arrivée.
The problem is that she hasn’t arrived yet.
Un panneau triangulaire annonce un danger.
A triangular sign announces a danger.
Le feu d’artifice sera un spectacle à ne pas manquer.
The fireworks display will be a spectacle not to be missed.
Note
Exceptions include:
la plage
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beach une image
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picture la peau
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skin de l’eau chaude
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hot water
Cet après-midi nous allons visiter un musée.
This afternoon we’re going to visit a museum.
La Grande-Bretagne a instauré un salaire minimum en 1999.
Great Britain introduced a minimum wage in 1999.
Nous n’avons pas le choix - il faut accepter son offre.
We have no choice - we must accept his offer.
J’ai pris le risque d’y aller sans téléphoner à l’avance.
I took the risk of going without telephoning in advance.
C’est un des lycées les plus célèbres de France.
It’s one of the most famous lycées in France.
3.2 Feminine words Words with the following endings are usually
feminine
:
Table 25.4 Feminine word endings hide table Word ending French English – ade la bousculade jostling; crush – aison la maison house – ance une instance authority – ée la journée day – ence une expérience experience – ense la défense defence – eur la couleur colour – ière la frontière border – sion une expansion expansion – tion la caution deposit – ude une attitude attitude – ure la fermeture closing – xion une réflexion reflection
On est allés voir une exposition des tableaux de Monet.
We went to see an exhibition of Monet’s paintings.
L’entreprise a pu doubler ses bénéfices en une année.
The firm has managed to double its profits in one year.
C’était une expérience à ne pas manquer.
It was an experience not to be missed.
Ces mesures visent à encourager une attitude plus responsable du public envers l’environnement.
These measures are intended to encourage the public to have a more responsible attitude towards the environment.
J’ai oublié la combinaison de ce cadenas.
I’ve forgotten the combination of this padlock.
Note
Exceptions include:
un musée
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museum le silence
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silence le bonheur
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happiness un cimetière
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cemetary
Il a été très affecté par la mort de son père.
He was very affected by the death of his father.
Le vin rouge n’est pas mauvais pour la santé si on en boit avec modération.
Red wine is not bad for your health if you drink it in moderation.
Il nous a montré la façon la plus simple de résoudre ce problème.
He showed us the easiest way of solving this problem.
Cette émission donne une image totalement fausse de la situation.
This programme gives a totally false picture of the situation.
Il est interdit de dormir sur la plage.
It is forbidden to sleep on the beach.
