In French, the definite articles le, la, l', les are used when generalising.
Learn how to use the definite articles in French when generalising
Look at these general statements:
In English, we drop the when talking about things in general, but notice that in French, when talking about things in general or abstractly, you must use le, la, l', or les (the definite article).
ATTENTION:
Whereas partitive articles du, de la, de l', des and indefinite articles un, une become de or d' in negative sentences [See Du/de la/de l'/des all become de/d' in negative sentences (French Partitive Articles) and Un/une become de/d' in negative sentences in French (French Indefinite Articles)], this rule doesn't apply to definite articles le, la, l' or les which remain the same in negative sentences:
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