How to understand its a definite or indefinite articles in french
Answered! Jump to accepted answer.
Chris
Kwiziq community member
30/08/18
Elle a des chats. -- She has (some) cats. -- indefinite
Elle a les chats. -- She has the cats. -- definite

Cécile
Kwiziq language super star
31/08/18
Hi Samuel,
The difference between definite and indefinite articles is actually important in French as many mistakes are made by confusing them as sometimes in English no article is used ...
e.g.
J'aime les chats tigrés = I like tabby cats
You use the definite article 'les' as it is presumed you like all the cats who come under that specification.
J'ai des chats très exigeants à la maison! = I have (some) very demanding cats at home!
In this example you don't know which cats you are referring to , how many there are or what type of cats , so you use the indefinite article 'des'.
For more details take a look at the following lessons on each set of articles:
https://kwiziq.learnfrenchwithalexa.com/my-languages/french/glossary/4
https://kwiziq.learnfrenchwithalexa.com/my-languages/french/glossary/4
Hope this helps!
Your answer
Don't have an account yet? Join today

Think you've got all the answers?
Test your French to the CEFR standard
find your French level »
Samuel
Kwiziq community member
30 August 2018
2 replies
How to understand its a definite or indefinite articles in french
This question relates to:
French lesson "Plurals of the and a = les and des (articles)"