Determinants are small words that introduce a noun and specify whether it is definite (le, la, les – "the"), indefinite (un, une, des – "a, an, some"), or partitive (du, de la, de l’ – "some" for uncountable nouns). They help indicate whether we are talking about something specific or general.

Définis

Indéfinis

Partitifs

Français English Note
le the (masc. sing.)
la the (fem. sing.)
les the (plural)
un a (masc. sing.)
une a (fem. sing.)
des some (plural)
de some (special cases) - After negation, after quantities, before <adjective>, <noun> combos
du some (masc. sing.)
de la some (fem. sing.)
de l’ some (before vowel) Used for both masc. and fem.