Sam fait de l'aïkido.

Doug A.A2Kwiziq community member

Sam fait de l'aïkido.

I do not understand why "Sams does Aikido" is translated as "Sam fait de l'aïkido.".  The lesson says that in front of masculine nouns that de le and les will contract to du and des.  Why is this not "Sam fait du aïkido"?  

Thank you.

Asked 3 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Contraction does not occur with « de/à  l'....», regardless of gender - so before checking the gender of the noun , check whether it starts with a vowel or h muet - in these cases it will eg de l'o(i)gnon, de l'aikido , à l'hôtel etc. 

Definite articles contract with à and de in French (French Contracted Articles)

D. A.B1Kwiziq community member

Aikido starts with a vowel. Hence de l'

Lauryn C.A1Kwiziq community member

Because du (de+le) ends in a vowel and aïkido starts with a vowel. So you'll need to say Sam fait de l'aïkido. 

Sam fait de l'aïkido.

I do not understand why "Sams does Aikido" is translated as "Sam fait de l'aïkido.".  The lesson says that in front of masculine nouns that de le and les will contract to du and des.  Why is this not "Sam fait du aïkido"?  

Thank you.

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Let me take a look at that...