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♂ Masculine Examples
♀ Feminine Examples
French Noun Gender Rules
Understanding French noun genders is crucial for proper grammar. Here are the main patterns and rules to help you identify whether a noun is masculine or feminine.
♀ Feminine Endings
-tion, -sion: nation, mission, télévision
-ée: journée, soirée, matinée
-ie: pharmacie, boulangerie, compagnie
-ure: nature, culture, aventure
-ance, -ence: France, patience, science
-esse: princesse, richesse, tristesse
-ette: cigarette, fourchette, serviette
♂ Masculine Endings
-age: voyage, fromage, garage
-isme: tourisme, journalisme, réalisme
-ment: gouvernement, appartement, moment
-eau: bateau, château, cadeau
-eur: professeur, docteur, ordinateur
-oir: miroir, couloir, espoir
-al: journal, animal, hôpital
General Rules
Words ending in -e: Usually feminine (la table, la voiture)
Words ending in consonants: Usually masculine (le chat, le livre)
Countries ending in -e: Usually feminine (la France, la Chine)
Languages: Always masculine (le français, l'anglais)
Days, months, seasons: Masculine (le lundi, janvier, l'été)
Common Exceptions
Masculine words ending in -e: le musée, le lycée, le monde, le groupe
Feminine words ending in consonants: la mer, la fleur, la peur, la sœur
Irregular patterns: Some words have unpredictable genders and must be memorized
Compound words: Gender usually follows the main noun
Articles & Agreement
Definite articles: le (masculine), la (feminine), les (plural)
Indefinite articles: un (masculine), une (feminine), des (plural)
Adjective agreement: Adjectives must agree with noun gender
Past participle agreement: With être, participles agree with subject
Learning Tips
Learn with articles: Always memorize nouns with their articles
Practice regularly: Use this tool to test your knowledge
Read extensively: Exposure to French texts helps internalize patterns
Use mnemonics: Create memory aids for difficult words
Group by patterns: Study words with similar endings together