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du
/dy/
of the
J'ai du pain.
I have some bread.
formal
Contraction of 'de' + 'le', meaning 'of the' in masculine singular contexts.
Le livre du professeur est sur la table.
The teacher's book is on the table.
C'est du vin rouge.
It's red wine.
Used before masculine singular nouns. In plural contexts, 'des' is used instead.
Collocations
Pro Tip
When to use 'du'
Use 'du' before masculine singular nouns when expressing quantity or possession. It translates to 'some' or 'of the' in English.
Gold Rule
Contraction Rule
'du' is always used before masculine singular nouns and cannot stand alone. It combines 'de' (of) and 'le' (the).
Word Origin
From Old French 'de le', combining the preposition 'de' (of, from) and the definite article 'le' (the).
Usage Notes
1. 'du' is a contraction and cannot be separated. 2. In negative sentences, 'de' alone is used (e.g., 'Je n'ai pas de pain'). 3. Before a vowel sound, 'du' becomes 'de l'' (e.g., 'de l'eau').
Word Breakdown
de
of/from
prepositionle
the (masculine singular)
definite articleDictionnaire Français-Anglais