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Questions & Answers about Je mange du poulet.
What does du mean in Je mange du poulet?
du is the partitive article (a contraction of de + le) used with masculine singular nouns to indicate an unspecified quantity, roughly meaning “some.”
Why do we use du instead of des or de la?
- des is the plural indefinite article (“some” for countable items).
- de la is the feminine singular partitive.
- du is used because poulet is masculine and here treated as an uncountable/mass noun (meat in general).
Could I just say Je mange poulet like in English I eat chicken?
No. French normally requires an article before a noun. Omitting it (Je mange poulet) is incorrect; you need a definite or partitive article (here du poulet).
Which form of the verb manger is mange here?
It’s the first person singular present indicative of manger:
- Infinitive: manger (to eat)
- Conjugation: je mange (I eat)
How do I pronounce Je mange du poulet?
IPA: [ʒə mɑ̃ʒ dy pulɛ]. Tips:
• Je: [ʒə] (the [ə] is often dropped, sounding like [ʒ])
• mange: [mɑ̃ʒ] (nasal vowel)
• du: [dy]
• poulet: [pulɛ] (the final -t is silent)
How would I say I don't eat chicken?
In negative sentences, the partitive du becomes de (or d’ before a vowel), and the verb is wrapped in ne…pas:
Je ne mange pas de poulet.
Why is poulet singular when I’m talking about chicken in general?
When referring to a substance or food in an unspecified amount, French treats it as a mass noun, so you use the singular with a partitive article, not a countable plural.
Does Je mange du poulet mean I’m eating chicken right now or I eat it regularly?
The present tense in French can express both. Context or adverbs clarify:
• Ongoing: Je mange du poulet en ce moment.
• Habitual: Je mange souvent du poulet.