Masculine or Feminine? The French Noun Gender Rules That Actually Work
Is a French noun masculine or feminine? The ending patterns that predict gender correctly most of the time, plus why you should just learn gender with the word.
French noun gender is largely arbitrary, but endings help predict it: words ending in -tion, -sion, -té or -ette are usually feminine, while -ment, -age, -eau or -isme are usually masculine. Because exceptions exist, the most reliable fix is learning each noun’s gender together with the word itself.
Quick answer
French noun gender is largely arbitrary, but endings help predict it: words ending in -tion, -sion, -té or -ette are usually feminine, while -ment, -age, -eau or -isme are usually masculine. Because exceptions exist, the most reliable fix is learning each noun’s gender together with the word itself.
Learn every noun with its correct gender, via native audio. Get it on the App Store or Google Play.
Endings that predict feminine
| Ending | Example |
|---|---|
| -tion | la nation |
| -sion | la télévision |
| -té | la liberté |
| -ette | la baguette |
| -euse | la danseuse |
| -ence/-ance | la patience |
Endings that predict masculine
| Ending | Example |
|---|---|
| -ment | le gouvernement |
| -age | le fromage |
| -eau | le château |
| -isme | le tourisme |
| -oir | le miroir |
The exceptions (because there always are)
A handful of common words break the pattern - un musée (museum, masculine despite the -ée-adjacent sound) is a classic one worth memorizing individually. Treat the rules above as strong tendencies, not guarantees.
Why “learn gender with the word” beats memorizing rules
The practical fix: treat le/la as part of the vocabulary itself, not a separate fact bolted on afterward - exactly how spaced-repetition systems should present every new noun. See spaced repetition for French vocabulary and the three French article systems.
Does gender really matter if I get it wrong?
You’re still understood - native listeners routinely forgive gender slips, and comprehension rarely breaks down over le/la. Accuracy improves gradually through exposure; it isn’t a gate you need to clear before speaking.
Never guess gender again
LexiFr teaches every noun with its correct gender built in, backed by native audio and spaced repetition.
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Questions about this note
How do I know if a French word is masculine or feminine?
Ending patterns predict it much of the time - but learning gender with each new word is the most reliable method.
What endings are usually feminine?
-tion, -sion, -té, -ette, -euse.
What endings are usually masculine?
-ment, -age, -eau, -isme.
Does getting gender wrong ruin communication?
No - you're still understood; it's a common, forgivable learner error.
Are there exceptions to the ending rules?
Yes - a handful of common exceptions exist, so treat rules as guides, not guarantees.