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gender of inanimate nouns

💡 Grammar Rule

The Gender of Inanimate Nouns in French

In French, all nouns have a gender: they are either masculine or feminine. This applies even to inanimate objects and abstract concepts (noms inanimés). The gender of a noun is indicated by the determiner (like le/un for masculine or la/une for feminine) that precedes it.

Arbitrary Nature of Gender

For many nouns, gender is arbitrary. There is often no logical reason why a "table" is feminine while a "book" is masculine. Therefore, it is essential to learn each noun along with its article and check a dictionary if unsure.

  • une table (a table)
  • la fleur (the flower)
  • un livre (a book)
  • le bonheur (the happiness)

Clues from Word Endings

While gender is often fixed, certain word endings can provide helpful clues, though exceptions do exist.

Common Masculine Endings

  • -isme: le journalisme (journalism)
  • -ment: le mouvement (the movement)
  • -age: le voyage (the trip)
  • -eau: le bureau (the office/desk)
  • -phone: le téléphone (the telephone)

Common Feminine Endings

  • -tion: la question (the question)
  • -té: la qualité (the quality)
  • -ure: la fermeture (the closing)
  • -esse: la richesse (the wealth)
  • -ette: la raquette (the racket)
  • -ence: l’expérience (the experience)

Special Rules

There are a few categories where the gender is consistently masculine:

  • Borrowed foreign words: le sandwich (the sandwich), le week-end (the weekend), le sushi (the sushi).
  • Color names: le vert (the green).
  • Language names: le portugais (the Portuguese language).
  • Infinitives used as nouns: le pouvoir (the power/to be able to).
Do you have the book?
As-tu le livre ?
Yes, the book is on the table.
Oui, le livre est sur la table.
Do you like journalism?
Aimes-tu le journalisme ?
Yes, it is an interesting job.
Oui, c’est un travail intéressant.
Is this your phone?
Est-ce ton téléphone ?
No, the phone is Marie’s.
Non, le téléphone est à Marie.
How was the trip?
Comment était le voyage ?
The trip was great, thanks.
Le voyage était super, merci.
Where is the office?
Où est le bureau ?
The office is on the right.
Le bureau est à droite.
Do you have a question?
As-tu une question ?
Yes, it is a difficult question.
Oui, c’est une question difficile.
How is the quality?
Comment est la qualité ?
The quality is very good.
La qualité est très bonne.
What time is the closing?
À quelle heure est la fermeture ?
The closing is at eight.
La fermeture est à huit heures.
Are you looking for your racket?
Cherches-tu ta raquette ?
Yes, the racket is not here.
Oui, la raquette n’est pas ici.
Is it a good experience?
Est-ce une bonne expérience ?
Yes, it is a unique experience.
Oui, c’est une expérience unique.
He eats a sandwich.
Il mange un sandwich.
The sandwich looks delicious.
Le sandwich a l’air délicieux.
We are eating sushi.
On mange un sushi.
Sushi is my favorite dish.
Le sushi est mon plat préféré.
The weekend is short.
Le week-end est court.
Yes, but the weekend is fun.
Oui, mais le week-end est amusant.
I like green.
J’aime le vert.
Green is a beautiful color.
Le vert est une belle couleur.
You speak Portuguese.
Tu parles le portugais.
Portuguese is difficult.
Le portugais est difficile.
Power is important.
Le pouvoir est important.
Yes, but power is dangerous.
Oui, mais le pouvoir est dangereux.
I see a red flower.
Je vois une fleur rouge.
The flower is very beautiful.
La fleur est très belle.
You look for happiness.
Tu cherches le bonheur.
Happiness is life.
Le bonheur c’est la vie.
I like the movement.
J’aime le mouvement.
The movement is fast.
Le mouvement est rapide.
Wealth is not everything.
La richesse ne fait pas tout.
It is true, wealth is relative.
C’est vrai, la richesse est relative.

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