“le vidéo” or “la vidéo”? Understanding the gender of nouns in French will clarify which form is correct. This article explains the correct gender for “vidéo”, helping you use this term correctly in both spoken and written French.
La vidéo (correct)
Le vidéo (incorrect)
Understanding Gender for Nouns in French
In French, each noun is either masculine or feminine, and this gender influences which article to use. While some nouns have clear gender assignments based on their meaning, others may seem less obvious, leading to frequent errors.
Correct Form: “La vidéo”
The correct expression is “la vidéo”, where “la” is the feminine definite article. In this case:
- “Vidéo” is considered a feminine noun in French.
- As with all feminine nouns, it uses the article “la” for singular definite articles.
Using “la vidéo” is the standard and grammatically accurate form in French.
Common Mistake: “Le vidéo”
A common mistake is using “le vidéo” instead of “la vidéo”. This error often arises from assuming “vidéo” is masculine, possibly due to other masculine nouns related to technology or media.
Why “Le Vidéo” is Incorrect
- Despite its association with technology (where many nouns are masculine), “vidéo” is one of the exceptions and remains feminine.
- Using “le” with “vidéo” is incorrect, as it does not match the gender designation for this noun.
Why “La Vidéo” is the Correct Form
In French, “vidéo” is a feminine noun, making “la vidéo” the only grammatically correct choice. This aligns with French gender rules, which assign “vidéo” to the feminine category despite its modern usage.
- Examples with other similar feminine nouns:
- “La photo” (photo) — also a feminine noun.
- “La musique” (music) — another feminine noun related to media.
- “La télévision” (television) — feminine as well.
These examples demonstrate that not all technology-related or media nouns are masculine, reinforcing why “la vidéo” is the correct form.
Additional Examples of Feminine Nouns for Reference
Consider other feminine nouns that follow a similar structure:
- “La radio” (radio) — another feminine media-related noun.
- “La chaîne” (channel or chain) — feminine when referring to a TV channel.
- “La caméra” (camera) — feminine as well.
These examples highlight the consistency of using “la” with certain media and technology terms, confirming that “la vidéo” is the grammatically accurate choice.