The gender of nouns · French grammar A2

Contents · A2

The gender of a noun, learnt with its article at level A1, can often be recognised from its ending.

The gender of nouns from their ending#

Formation

The ending of a noun is often a reliable clue to its gender. Nouns ending in -tion and -té are feminine; nouns ending in -ment and -age are masculine. A few frequent nouns are exceptions and are learnt with their article.

Ending	Gender	Examples	Exceptions
-tion	feminine	la natation, une question, la conversation	—
-té	feminine	la santé, la nationalité, la publicité	l’été, le côté
-ment	masculine	un moment, le changement, un appartement	—
-age	masculine	le fromage, un voyage, le visage	la plage, la page, une image

The article, the demonstrative and the adjective agree with this gender: une question difficile, cette publicité, un moment important.

La natation est bonne pour la santé.Swimming is good for your health.
Nous cherchons un appartement calme.We are looking for a quiet flat.
Il y a un grand changement dans ma vie.There is a big change in my life.

Common mistakes

~~un question difficile~~ → une question difficileNouns in -tion are feminine.
~~la fromage~~ → le fromageNouns in -age are masculine, with a few exceptions: la plage, la page, l’image.

→ See also: The gender of nouns (A1)

In short

Ending	Gender	Example
-tion, -té	feminine	la natation, la santé
-ment, -age	masculine	le moment, le voyage

Practise

“Comparing and measuring: adjectives, plus… que, le meilleur”, Gender from the ending: -tion, -té, -ment, -age

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