Question 1

Why does this sentence use de ces instead of just de after un kilo?

Accepted Answer

In French, expressions of quantity like un kilo are usually followed by a simple de (of). However, here the speaker is pointing to specific potatoes: a kilo of these potatoes. Because the word for these is ces, we combine them to say un kilo de ces pommes de terre.

Question 2

How do I say a kilo of potatoes in general, without pointing to specific ones?

Accepted Answer

You would just say un kilo de pommes de terre. Remember that after an expression of quantity like un kilo, you drop the plural article des. You only use a plain de unless you are adding a pointing word like ces (these) or an ownership word like mes (my).

Question 3

Why does pommes de terre have an s on pommes but not on terre?

Accepted Answer

The French word for potato is a combination of words meaning apple of earth. To make it plural, you only add an s to the core thing being counted: the apples (pommes). The describing part (de terre) stays exactly the same, because it still means of earth.

Question 4

Why use Je prends instead of the verb for I buy?

Accepted Answer

Prendre means to take. Just like in English, when you are at a market or shop and you make a selection, it is very common and natural to say Je prends to mean I will take or I am getting.

Je prends un kilo de ces pommes de terre.

Breakdown of Je prends un kilo de ces pommes de terre.

Questions & Answers about Je prends un kilo de ces pommes de terre.

Learn Je prends un kilo de ces pommes de terre and more in French