FYW 176 : Understanding the preposition DE (1/3): back to the basics with brushing up the articles!

Understanding the preposition DE (1/3): back to the basics with brushing up the articles!

Lately I've received a lot of questions from listeners about the use of the preposition DE (and also the preposition A). These prepositions constitute such a challenge for many students that I decided to make a series of 3 episodes to explain these and help as many of you as possible.

First, I want you to start on solid bases so I'll run you through the 3 different types of articles in French (definite, indefinite and partitive articles). We'll pay particular attention to the meaning of "des" and the partitive articles. How does this tie in with the preposition DE? Listen in!
Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode
I saw a cat in the street = J'ai vu un chat dans la rue
J'ai vu un chat,j’ai vu des chats
J'ai vu le chat dans la rue = I saw the cat in the street
J'ai vu un chat dans la rue. Le chat était gris. = I saw a cat in the street. The cat was grey
Le soleil = the sun
la gentillesse, la pauvreté, l'amour, le temps, l’environnement, la lecture, les loisirs...
la danse, la musique, le cinéma, le foot, le yoga...
Beaucoup de fleurs
peu de gens
assez de temps
pas de chien
- Vous avez des animaux ? - J’ai un chien et deux chats, et vous ? - Moi je n'ai pas d'animaux (je n'en ai pas)
Shrek mange une pastèque, je mange de la pastèque (une tranche de pastèque)
Shrek mange un poulet, je mange du poulet (un nugget de poulet, etc)
LINKS and RESOURCES!

Episode 104: Why do you say "à l'est de l'Australie" but " l'Ambassade d'Australie "?: frenchyourway.com.au/podcast104
Episode 99: The French Pronoun "EN": frenchyourway.com.au/podcast99
Episode 137: "De la pizza" vs "la pizza"? : frenchyourway.com.au/podcast137

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Om Podcasten

I'm Jessica, a native French teacher from the Champagne region here to help you learn French and discover the French language. You may know me from the French Voices Podcast (a series of interviews in French for the more advanced learners). If you are curious about the French language, this podcast is for you. Expand your French vocabulary and improve your French grammar in a way that is both easy and memorable. How? By connecting bridges between French and English languages to make learning more efficient! Discover the origins of some French words and French expressions, examples of related words and get a new understanding of common mistakes made by students. It doesn't matter whether you’re at a beginner, intermediate or advanced level in French. I have no doubt that you will learn from these mini French lessons. So, get on board and learn French with me! Join the community at http://frenchyourway.com.au Submit your own questions to podcast@frenchyourway.com.au