French common nouns
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HideWhat is common noun in French ?
A common noun (French: le nom commun) is a word that makes it possible to designate a thing, an animal, a person in a global way. It is always written in lower case and has precise meanings. Common nouns are often accompanied by a determinant: un, une, des, le, la, les etc...
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Samuel B. 
Debora C. 
Antoine D. 
Aldo P.
Aline P.
Susan B. 
Tabea D. 
Marta F. 
Nazareth P.
Edith L. 
List of common French nouns
Here is an overview of French common nouns along them you can find:
- abstract common nouns
- concrete common nouns
- compound common nouns
| Noms abstraits | Noms concrets | Noms composés |
|---|---|---|
| La joie (joy) | La classe (the classroom) | Un chien-loup (a German shepherd) |
| La tristesse (sadness) | La famille (the family) | Un arc-en-ciel (a rainbow) |
| L'amitié (friendship) | Le troupeau (the gaggle) | Une pomme de terre (a potato) |
| Le bonheur (happiness) | La meute (the pack) | L'après-midi (the afternoon) |
| Le début (the beginning) | La forêt (the forest) | Un porte-bagage (a rack) |
| La fin (the end) | La vaisselle (the washing) | Le garde-manger (a larder) |
A concrete common noun designates a person, thing or animal that we can see or touch.
An abstract common noun designates a person, thing or animal that we cannot see or touch.
How to use French common nouns ?
As explained previously in the table, there are different categories of common nouns that can be used to express different meanings:
- Abstract nouns designates an idea, a concept.
- Concrete nouns designates persons, a group or a compound noun
| Abstract | Concrete | |
|---|---|---|
| idea | L'amour (love), | - |
| concept | le pardon (forgiveness) | - |
| persons | - | la soeur (the sister) |
| group | - | la famille (the family) |
| compound noun | - | la belle soeur (the sister-in-law) |
Particularities and exceptions
In some cases, the common noun does not have a determinant:
1. In some nominal groups
La plage de sable noir. (The beach of black sand)
2. In some enumerations
Il y a tant de personnes ici: cousins, frères et oncles ! (There are so many people here: cousins, brothers and uncles)
3. In some proverbs
Pierre qui roule n'amasse pas mousse. (A rolling stone gathers no moss)