Answers
Nov 16, 2012 - 10:39 AM
And on a similar note, why is it "DU Canada" [From the Canada], but "DE l'hotel" [from the hotel]?
Nov 16, 2012 - 11:56 AM
Hi Erin,
Au is used for masculin, so words that use le are contracted to au and à la is a contraction for feminine. Take a look at this site here, this should help you out. There are also some explanations of Du as well. http://www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/gr/pr...
Au is used for masculin, so words that use le are contracted to au and à la is a contraction for feminine. Take a look at this site here, this should help you out. There are also some explanations of Du as well. http://www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/gr/pr...
Nov 17, 2012 - 06:55 AM
To expand a bit on Andy's answer, au is a contraction for "a + le" but NOT for "a + la." Likewise, du is a contraction for "de + le" but NOT for "de + la." And for both, they are NOT contracted when preceding a vowel or vowel sound (in hotel the h is silent). Therefore "a l'hotel" and also "de l'hotel."
Nov 17, 2012 - 11:13 AM
Erin, I had the same confusion. Apparently the l' trump the contraction. I'm starting to think about how things sound, and it often is that whatever sounds cleaner is what is done. So "au hôtel" has a double vowel sound, which is awkward, while "à l'hôtel" is easier and prettier to say.
Nov 23, 2012 - 05:51 PM
Thanks for all the input and thanks Erin for posting. I have had the same question. What a wonderful community that we can all share!
Nov 27, 2012 - 12:54 PM
Erin - you're spot on with your reasoning. "Au" is the contraction of "á+le" and is only used for masculine words. When the word is feminine, like maison, it is à la maison. Because of this, learning which words are masculine and which are feminine is critical. Bonne journée!