l'
/l/
the (before a vowel or silent h)
L'ami est arrivé.
The friend has arrived.
grammar
A contraction of the definite article 'le' before a word beginning with a vowel or silent h.
L'élève lit un livre.
The student is reading a book.
L'horloge est cassée.
The clock is broken.
Used before feminine singular nouns starting with a vowel or silent h to avoid hiatus (two vowels together).
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoiding Hiatus
Use 'l'' before feminine nouns starting with vowels or silent h to avoid awkward pronunciation.
Gold Rule
Gender Agreement
Remember that 'l'' is always feminine, even though it doesn't end with an 'e'.
Word Origin
Derived from the contraction of 'le' before vowels or silent h to improve pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Always used before feminine singular nouns starting with a vowel or silent h. Not used before masculine nouns.
Word Breakdown
l'
the (feminine singular before vowels/h)
contractionDictionnaire Français-Anglais