When to use "les":
* Before plural nouns: This is the most common use of "les".
* Example: "Les chats sont mignons" (The cats are cute).
* Before masculine nouns that begin with a vowel sound: This is because "les" is a contraction of "le" + "s".
* Example: "Les élèves sont intelligents" (The students are intelligent).
* Before feminine nouns that begin with a consonant sound:
* Example: "Les filles sont jolies" (The girls are pretty).
* Before plural nouns representing a whole category:
* Example: "Les Français aiment le fromage" (The French people love cheese).
Important Notes:
* Exceptions: There are a few exceptions to the rules above. For example, "les" is used before some masculine nouns that begin with a consonant, such as "les arts" (the arts) and "les États-Unis" (the United States).
* Pronunciation: "Les" is pronounced as "lay" in French.
Here are some examples to help you understand:
* Le livre (The book) - singular, masculine
* Les livres (The books) - plural, masculine
* La voiture (The car) - singular, feminine
* Les voitures (The cars) - plural, feminine
* L'école (The school) - singular, feminine (starts with a vowel sound)
* Les écoles (The schools) - plural, feminine (starts with a vowel sound)
Practice makes perfect! The more you read and speak French, the more comfortable you will become using "les" correctly.