Understanding Partitive Articles
Partitive articles express part of something or an unspecified quantity. They correspond to "some" or "any" in English, but are often omitted in English while being required in French.
Partitive articles are formed by combining de + definite article: du (de + le), de la, de l', des (de + les).
They're essential for talking about food, drinks, abstract concepts, and uncountable nouns.
Examples
Je mange du pain. (I eat some bread.)
Je bois de la limonade. (I drink some lemonade.)
Il fait de la musique. (He makes music.)
Elle a de la patience. (She has patience.)
The Four Partitive Articles
Partitive articles follow the same gender and number patterns as definite articles:
Complete Partitive Article System
Each partitive article corresponds to the definite article pattern:
French Partitive Articles
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| du | de + le (masculine) | du fromage (some cheese) |
| de la | de + la (feminine) | de la salade (some salad) |
| de l' | de + l' (vowel/h) | de l'eau (some water) |
| des | de + les (plural) | des fruits (some fruits) |
Formation Pattern
Partitive articles are contractions of de + definite article:
de + le pain = du pain (some bread)
de + la viande = de la viande (some meat)
de + l'eau = de l'eau (some water)
de + les légumes = des légumes (some vegetables)
When to Use Partitive Articles
Partitive articles are used in several key situations:
Examples
Food and drinks: Je veux du café. (I want some coffee.)
Uncountable items you consume
Abstract concepts: Il a du courage. (He has courage.)
Qualities and abstract nouns
Activities: Elle fait de la natation. (She does swimming.)
Sports and activities with faire
Common Categories Using Partitives
These categories typically use partitive articles:
Food: du pain, de la viande, des légumes
Bread, meat, vegetables
Drinks: du vin, de la bière, de l'eau
Wine, beer, water
Abstract: du temps, de la patience, des idées
Time, patience, ideas
Materials: du bois, de la laine, des métaux
Wood, wool, metals
Partitive Articles in Negative Sentences
In negative sentences, all partitive articles become de (or d' before vowels), just like indefinite articles.
Pattern: ne + verb + pas + de + noun (no article)
This rule applies to all partitive articles without exception.
Examples
Je mange du pain. → Je ne mange pas de pain.
I eat bread. → I don't eat bread.
Elle boit de la limonade. → Elle ne boit pas de limonade.
She drinks lemonade. → She doesn't drink lemonade.
Il y a de l'eau. → Il n'y a pas d'eau.
There is water. → There is no water.
Nous avons des problèmes. → Nous n'avons pas de problèmes.
We have problems. → We don't have problems.
Partitive vs Indefinite vs Definite
Understanding the difference between article types is crucial:
Partitive (du/de la/des): Some/part of something uncountable
Indefinite (un/une/des): A/an/some countable items
Definite (le/la/les): The specific item or general statements
The meaning changes significantly with different articles.
Examples
Je veux du gâteau. (some cake - part of it)
Je veux un gâteau. (a whole cake)
Il boit de la bière. (some beer - quantity)
Il boit une bière. (one beer - bottle/glass)
J'aime le chocolat. (chocolate in general)
Je mange du chocolat. (some chocolate)
Special Cases and Expressions
Some expressions and contexts have special partitive usage:
Examples
Faire du sport (to do sports)
Faire de la musique (to make music)
Avoir du mal à (to have trouble)
Avoir de la chance (to be lucky)
Quantity Expressions
With specific quantities, use de without articles:
un kilo de pommes (a kilo of apples)
beaucoup de pain (a lot of bread)
un peu de temps (a little time)
assez d'argent (enough money)
After Certain Verbs
Some verbs require de instead of partitive articles:
avoir besoin de (to need)
se servir de (to use)
J'ai besoin d'aide. (I need help.)
Il se sert d'un ordinateur. (He uses a computer.)