CBSE ENTRE JEUNES CLASS 9 –
GENDER EXCEPTIONS – 1 – French Nouns Ending Which Are Generally Masculine
Nouns ending in b, c, cle, d, k, l, m, oir, p are typically masculine, but not that numerous in French.
New words, often coming from English, like new technologies, ending in “ing” and “isme” are usually masculine.
Now, here are some common endings that are typically masculine. Unfortunately, they also come with exceptions…
2 – French Nouns Ending in Ège, É and Eau are Masculine
Ège, for example le manège (merry go round), un arpège (arpagio)
An exception is La Norvège (Norway)
É, as in le café (coffee or café), le canapé (the sofa), le carré (the square), le défilé (the procession), le supermarché (the supermarket).
Exceptions: la clé (key), la psyché…
Eau, for example le bateau (the boat), le manteau (the coat), le chapeau (the hat), l’oiseau (the bird).
Important exceptions since they are very common words: l’eau (water) and la peau (skin).
3 – French Nouns Ending in Ment are Masculine
We have many nouns ending in “ment” in French, and they are masculine: le gouvernement (the government), un appartement (a flat), le commencement (the beginning), un abonnement (a subscription).
The one exception is la jument (the mare).
4 – French Nouns Ending in In are Masculine
For example le vin (the wine), le magasin (the shop), le dessin (the drawing), le chemin (the road, way), le jardin (the garden).
An exception is la fin (the end).
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