Question

In French, what is the difference between d'/de/des and l'/le/les?

Answer 1

Bonjour

French articles

definite articles

le =( the) + masc; sing. noun ==> le garçon, le père

la = (the) + fem. sing. noun ==>  la fille, la mère

l' =  (the) + sing. noun beginning with a vowel or a mute "h" (elision) ==> l'homme (un homme : masc) ; l'élève (une élève) ; l'amie (une amie : feminine) , l'hôpital (un hôpital masc.)............

les = (the) + plural nouns fem. & masc.

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partitive articles

Usually in English,  they are translated by "some", "any" .. They refer to a non specified quantity of food, or uncountable quantities, nouns..

du + masc. sing noun = je veux du pain =I want some bread

de la + fem. sing.noun  = je veux de la pizza = I want some pizza

de l' + masc. or fem. sing. noun beginning with a vowel or a mute "h" (elision)  ==> je veux de l'argent (masc. noun), je veux de l'eau (fem. noun) (I want some money, I want some water)

des + plural nouns masc. & fem. ==> je veux des boissons (fem. plural noun) I want some drinks

 je veux des gâteaux (plural masc. noun == I want some cakes)

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Then you also have the indefinite articles

un  + masc. sing. noun =   un homme (a man )

une + fem. sing. noun = une femme  (a woman)

des + plural fem. & masc. nouns = des femmes, des hommes,, des filles, des garçons (women, men, girls, boys)

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hope this helps☺☺☺