Unlike English, every noun in French has a gender which can be very difficult to get used to as one not only has to remember the particular noun but also whether it is masculine or feminine. When one refers to an indefinite article such a car the French equivalent is une voiture while a definitive article such as the car will be la voiture.
The same is true for masculine nouns except that the letter e falls away with indefinite articles for example a pen would be un stylo whereas the definite article would be the pen and le stylo. Also note that when a definite noun starts with a vowel the e or a would be replaced by an apostrophe such as l'orange (orange). Although there are no fixed rules concerning the gender of French nouns, this article offers useful guidelines.
Feminine Words in French
Note than even if one can identify certain word endings as feminine, there are always exceptions to the rule. For example un lycée (high school) en un musée (museum) both seem as if they are feminine because the letter e is added to the end of each word but the words are in fact masculine. It is therefore helpful to familiarize oneself with the following word endings but to also be aware of exceptions to the rule. Also remember that feminine words in french are pronounced as they are spelled.
Common endings for feminine words:
- ...euse – Elle est une menteuse (She is a liar), La voyageuse est en Afrique du Sud (The traveller is in South Africa)
- ...ade – Je voudrais une salade s'il vous plaît (I would like a salad please), Je vais faire une promenade (I'm going to take a walk),
- ...ance/...ence – Tu as de la chance (You are lucky), La science est importante (Science is important), Je te fais la confiance (I trust you)
- ...tion – La nation est heureuse (The nation is happy), La natation est importante pour la santé (Swimming is important for your health)
- ...esse/...elle - On doit acheter une échelle (We have to buy a ladder), Il y a une messe ce soir à l'église (There is mass tonight at church)
- ...ette – Elle est dans sa pousette (She is in her pram), J'ai oublié mes lunettes (I forgot my glasses)
- ...te – Elle est d'une beauté extraordinaire (She possesses an extraordinary beauty),
- ...ude – Quelle mauvaise habitude! (What a bad habit!), J'espère que c'est un certitude (I hope it is a certainty)
- ...aine/...eine – Madonna est la reine du pop (Madonna is the queen on pop), Cela me fait du la peine (This pains me)
- ...ine – J'aime bien ta copine (I really like your female friend)
- ...ie – C'est la vie (It is life), Elle vient de la Russie (She comes from Russia.)
- ...aille – Quelle taille faites vous? (What size do you take?) J'ai besoin d'une paille ( I need a straw.)
- ...euille – Je ramasse les feuilles (I pick up the leaves.)
- ...eille – Il a des grandes oreilles (He has big ears.)
- ...ille – Elle a une fille qui s'appele Marie (She has a daugter named Marie), J'ai une famille nombreuse (I have a big family.)
- ...sion/...tion – La télévision est cassée (The television is broken) J'ai une question pour toi (I have a question for you.)
- ...ee – Elle voudrait une cheminée dans leur maison (She would like a fireplace in their house.)
Masculine Words in French
There are many masculine nouns in French which include: les abres (trees), les jours (days of the week), les mois (months), les saisons (seasons), les langues (languages) and les repas (meals). Similar to feminine nouns there also a few exceptions with masculine nouns for example l'image (the image) and la plage (the beach) are both feminine even though both words end with age. Note that many masculine words are not pronounced as they are spelled as the last part of the world is usually silent.
Common endings for masculine words
- ...teur – Mon ordinateur est cassé (My computer is broken)
- ...age – L'orage est responsable pour beaucoup de dégâts (The thunder storm is responsible for a lot of damage)
- ...al – Il faut lire le journal pour se tenir au courant (It is necessary to read the newspaper to stay on top of things.) Le cheval est malade (The horse is sick.)
- ...et – Est-ce que tu peux acheter un billet pour moi s'il te plaît (Can you buy a ticket for me please.)
- ...ier – Il porte un tablier rouge (He is wearing a red apron)
- ...isme – Le tourisme dans les montagnes est vraiment important (The tourism in the mountains is very important.)
- ...ment – Tu dois acheter tes medicaments (You have to buy your medicine.)
- ...eur – Elle cherche toujours le bonheur (She is alwys looking for happiness.)
- ...scope – N'oubliez pas le camescope (Don't forget the video camera)
- ...phone – Le téléphone sonne (The phone is ringing)
- ...ail – Je cherche un bon travail (I'm looking for a good job.)
- ...eil – Tu dois mettre ton réveil (You have to set your alarm.)
- ...euil – Le fauteuil est trop cher (The armchair is too expensive)
- ...in – Le lapin noir est très mignon (The black rabbit is very cute)
- ...oir – J'ai rangé le tiroir (I tidied the drawer), Il y a un grand miroir dans le couloir (There is a big mirror in the hallway.)
- ...ion – Elle va venir en avion (She will come with a plane)
Do not feel overwhelmed or discouraged when learning to distinguish between French nouns as even native speakers often make mistakes regarding the gender of nouns. Pay attention to the word endings in order to remember whether a word is masculine or feminine but also be aware of the exceptions.
Nadine Visagie - I am a freelance journalist and full-time French student who currently live in the South of France with my fiancé. I graduated ...
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