Grammar rule
Definite and indefinite articles
“le, la, les” point to something known; “un, une, des” introduce it.
Explanation of the rule
The rule
The definite article (le, la, l', les) points to something already known or unique. The indefinite article (un, une, des) introduces something new.
- J'achète un livre. (any book)
- J'ouvre le livre. (the one we mean)
Elision and contraction
Before a vowel or a silent h, le and la become l': l'école, l'homme. With à and de the article contracts: au cinéma, du pain, aux enfants.
Common mistake
After a negation, the indefinite article becomes de: je n'ai pas de livre.
