Definite and Indefinite Articles

These are words that come before a noun to define them as SPECIFIC or NON-SPECIFIC

There are two types: DEFINITE and INDEFINITE

Definite: the

Indefinite: a / an, some

The is specific, you know exactly what object a person is talking about.

You have THE pencil.

Use THE pencil sharpener.

I like to read THE book.

A / An, some is NON-specific, you don't know exactly what object a person is talking about.

You have A pencil.

Use A pencil sharpener.

I like to read A book.

In French, we also having articles that go before nouns.

Articles MUST GO IN FRONT OF NOUNS ALL THE TIME

There are both DEFINITE and INDEFINITE articles in French as well.

Le - masculine, singular

La - feminine, singular

L' - masculine or feminine, singular, VOWEL

Les - masculine or feminine, plural

the pencil

crayon (masculine, singular)

le crayon

the map

carte (feminine, singular)

la carte

the computer

ordinateur (masculine, singular, VOWEL)

l'ordinateur

the clock

horloge (feminine, singular, VOWEL sound)

l'horloge

the books

livres (masculine, plural)

les livres

the rulers

règles (feminine, plural)

les règles

Un - masculine singular

Une - feminine singular

Des - all plural

a dictionary

dictionnaire (masculine, singular)

un dictionnaire

(some) binders

classeurs (masculine, plural)

des classeurs

a window

fenêtre (feminine, singular)

une fenêtre

(some) calculators

calculatrices (feminine, plural)

des calculatrices

The articles will tell you the gender and the plurality of the noun. Take that info and switch between the articles.

Le crayon - THE pencil

Le - masculine singular

Un crayon - A pencil