new(some) boots

Question

To my American mind, if I say I bought new boots it does not mean some new boots. It means I bought a pair of new boots, not some. In order to buy some boots I would have to buy 2 or more pairs of boots, unusual. Sometimes your examples are not helpful for me to know the difference in French. Merci

Accepted Answer

Hi Sandra,
If in English you bought (some - a pair of ) new boots, the French equivalent is 'des bottes' which become 'de nouvelles bottes' because the adjective precedes the noun and
des becomes de .
Hope this is clearer now..

Answer

I’m glad it’s not just me!

Answer

As I understand, "some" stands for the object that has been just introduced into conversation. The speaker mentiones it first time, there is no legend behind, sort of "yet unknown" boots to the listener. In the 2nd example they are talking about object at least the 2nd time, meaning it is not "unknown" boots to both personages. In this context "some" sa translation is indeed not explanatory. Based on that I figure that I use "de+adj+noun" every time I'm talking about an object my opponents have not yet heard. On the contrary, "des+adj+noun" is about objects we all have some story about.

If this is right compris, may I please ask Quizik tutors to give a sign pls? Thanks!