(for example, the plural for le/la = les.
the plural for du/de la = des)
I got this question on a past exam paper, and wasn't sure what to put, just wondering what the answer is?
Can you also tell me what each is used for, and give examples if possible?
Thanks in advance
2007-05-31 21:48:09 · 7 answers · asked by KAM 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Wise Owl - it was a past paper to prepare for an exam - very basic grammar. Thanks for your answer :-) very helpful
2007-05-31 23:27:15 · update #1
You say that it was a question in an examination paper, but do not specify at which level and in which exact context.
There are several possibilities depending on whether UN or UNE is "a" or "one" in English.
In the context of the indefinite article (as in "a" and "some"), then the answer is definitely "des".
Un homme: des hommes / A man: some men
Il y a un homme qui fume au bureau.
Il y a des hommes qui fument au bureau
There is a man who smokes in the office.
There are some men who smoke etc...
Likewise- Une femme : des femmes
Je voudrais un chocolat: Je voudrais des chocolats.
I would like a chocolate: I would like some chocolates.
However in a different context, the plural of UN or UNE is "plusieurs" .
Il y a une réponse: Il y a plusieurs réponses.
There is one answer: there are several answers.
Je veux lire plusieurs livres: I want to read more than one book.
Obviously the plural of "one" can also be any definite number.
J'ai une soeur: J'ai deux soeurs etc....
It all boils down to how advanced the paper was, and how the question was set.
2007-05-31 23:14:30 · answer #1 · answered by WISE OWL 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Des
2007-05-31 22:29:07 · answer #2 · answered by Neighbour 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As everyone has indicated, it's "des". However, if an adjective comes before the plural noun, you use "de" or "d'".
Examples:
C'est une jolie fleur / ce sont de jolies fleurs
Il a un petit jardin / ils ont de petits jardins
'Des' is often not tranlated in English in this sense: as above, "they have small gardens."
2007-05-31 23:07:36 · answer #3 · answered by JJ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
French, like many languages, used "of the" (des) as their plural indefinite article.
2007-05-31 22:16:50 · answer #4 · answered by J J 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
des
2007-05-31 21:53:19 · answer #5 · answered by chris 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
un ,une = des
un animal, des animaux ;an animal, animals
une voiture, des voitures ; a car, cars
des is for "de les"
2007-05-31 21:51:19 · answer #6 · answered by Dori 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
un-une-des
une dame->des dames
une voiture->des voitures
un homme->des hommes
It is very simple......
2007-05-31 22:00:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋