“le problème” o “la problème”? Knowing the correct gender of nouns in French grammar will clarify which form is accurate. This article explains the correct gender for “problème” and why, helping you avoid a common mistake in spoken and written French.
Le problème (corretto)
La problème (non corretto)
Understanding Gender for Nouns in French
In French, each noun is assigned a gender—either masculine or feminine—which dictates the article used with it. While many nouns ending in “-e” are feminine, “problème” is an exception to this general pattern.
Forma corretta: “Le problème”
L'espressione corretta è “le problème”, with “le” as the masculine article. Here’s why:
- Anche se “problème” ends with “-e,” it is actually masculine, due to its Greek origin. In French, certain words of Greek origin (like “problème”) are masculine despite the “-e” ending.
- Utilizzo “le” con “problème” follows the standard rule for masculine nouns, even if it might seem counterintuitive based on the ending.
Utilizzo “le problème” is grammatically correct and accepted in standard French.
Errore comune: “La problème”
A frequent mistake is using “la problème” invece di “le problème”. This often happens because French speakers or learners expect the “-e” ending to indicate a feminine noun.
Perché “La Problème” non è corretto
- Despite the “-e” ending, “problème” is masculine, not feminine.
- Utilizzo “la” con “problème” does not match the correct gender and is therefore incorrect.
Perché “Le Problème” è la forma corretta
In francese, “problème” is treated as a masculine noun, making “le problème” the only grammatically correct option. This rule is consistent with other Greek-derived nouns that retain masculine gender, despite ending in “-e.”
- Examples of other masculine nouns with Greek origins:
- “Le système” (system) — masculine.
- “Le thème” (theme) — masculine.
- “Le programme” (program) — masculine.
These examples illustrate that certain “-e” ending nouns in French are masculine due to their etymology, reinforcing that “le problème” is the correct choice.
Additional Examples of Masculine Nouns with an “-e” Fine
Consider other masculine nouns that follow this pattern:
- “Le paradigme” (paradigm) — masculine.
- “Le modèle” (model) — masculine.
- “Le volume” (volume) — masculine.
These examples highlight the pattern of masculine nouns with an “-e” ending, confirming that “le problème” is the grammatically accurate form in French.