1. Nouns
* Nouns ending in -e are usually feminine:
* *la table* (the table)
* *la maison* (the house)
* *la fleur* (the flower)
* Nouns ending in consonants are usually masculine:
* *le livre* (the book)
* *le chat* (the cat)
* *le garçon* (the boy)
2. Exceptions
* Many exceptions exist! These can only be learned through memorization. For example:
* *le problème* (the problem) is masculine
* *la radio* (the radio) is feminine
* *la main* (the hand) is feminine, but *le bras* (the arm) is masculine.
3. Articles
* Masculine singular nouns use "le" or "un":
* *le livre* (the book)
* *un chat* (a cat)
* Feminine singular nouns use "la" or "une":
* *la table* (the table)
* *une fleur* (a flower)
4. Adjectives
* Adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify:
* *une belle maison* (a beautiful house)
* *un grand livre* (a big book)
* *des petits chats* (small cats)
5. Pronouns
* Pronouns also agree in gender and number:
* *il* (he) / *elle* (she)
* *ils* (they, masculine) / *elles* (they, feminine)
6. Other Clues
* The "feminine suffix" -esse is often used to create the feminine form of a noun:
* *le prince* (the prince) / *la princesse* (the princess)
* *le maître* (the master) / *la maîtresse* (the mistress)
* The "masculine suffix" -eur is often used to create the masculine form of a noun:
* *la vendeuse* (the saleswoman) / *le vendeur* (the salesman)
Important Notes:
* Gender in French is often illogical and based on historical usage.
* It's essential to learn common exceptions and irregular forms.
* Don't be afraid to make mistakes! Practice and immersion are key to mastering gender agreement.
If you have specific words you're unsure about, feel free to ask!