A1
grammar
When do you use le / la / les vs un / une / des in French?
★
★
★
★
★
Model answer
Definite articles (le, la, les) refer to something specific or already known. Indefinite articles (un, une, des) introduce something new or non-specific. "Je voudrais un café" (any coffee) vs "Le café est prêt" (the one you ordered).
Why
English often omits articles; French almost never does. Where English says "I like coffee," French says "J'aime le café."
Want feedback on your French?
Book a 60-minute trial with a Pratice tutor. Real corrections, real progress.