Me during my French exam wondering what is the gender of a washing machine

ByFast French

Do you feel like the little girl in this meme? Never knowing the gender of a noun in French? There is in fact a logical reason for the gender of a washing machine in French.

A washing machine is a “lave-linge” in French. That word is made up of two individual words: “lave” which comes from “laver” – the verb meaning “to wash.” And “linge” meaning “linen” or “laundry.” So a “lave-linge” is literally a “wash-linen.” Or in English, a washing machine.

The structure of this word is verb-noun. “Lave” is a verb and “linge” is a noun. When you have French words made up of a verb and a noun, they are masculine in gender, not feminine. So it is “le lave-linge” (the washing machine) or “un lave-linge” (a washing machine).

Other examples of this kind of word are “le lave-vaisselle” (the “wash-dishes” or dishwasher), “le porte-monnaie” (the “carry-change” or wallet) and “le pare-brise” (the “shield-breeze” or windshield).

These compound words are all masculine, even if they CONTAIN a feminine noun. Eg “la vaiselle” the dishes is a feminine noun. So too is “la monnaie” the change, or “la brise,” the breeze. The presence of a feminine noun doesn’t change the fact that the compound word is masculine.

Can you guess what “un pince-nez” does or looks like? Hint: it’s a 19th century style of eyeglasses.

Don’t miss out on new posts – subscribe now!

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • soulager

    ByFast French

    In French, the noun “un soulagement” and the verb “soulager” are important words that convey the concept of relief. These words are used in everyday language to express the alleviation of pain, stress, or discomfort. Un Soulagement “Un soulagement” is a masculine noun that means “a relief” or “an alleviation.” It is used to describe…

  • roman

    ByFast French

    What does the French word “roman” mean? Is it someone from Ancient Rome? Is it someone who lives in modern Rome? It’s neither – “roman” is the masculine noun meaning “novel” or “fiction” or “books.” “Le roman” also means “The Romanesque” period of architecture, from the 11th and 12th centuries AD. It can also refer…

  • soit…soit

    ByFast French

    In the French language, there’s a handy construction called “soit…soit.” This structure is used to present alternatives or choices. It’s a bit like saying “either…or” in English. Let’s delve into how it works and how you can use it effectively. The word “soit” means “either” or “whether” in English. When repeated, it emphasizes the choice…

  • jurer

    ByFast French

    The French word “jurer” is a commonly used verb. It means “to swear,” “to swear to,” “to swear that,” “to promise,” “to affirm,” and, “to use swear words.” 1. To Swear (an Oath): One of the primary meanings of “jurer” revolves around the act of swearing an oath, committing oneself solemnly to a promise or…

  • phoque

    ByFast French

    “Un phoque” is a French masculine noun meaning “a seal,” referring to the marine mammal. Idiomatic expressions Etymology The word “phoque” is derived from the Latin “phoca,” a feminine noun meaning “seal.” Its first surviving recorded usage in French was in 1532, when it was spelled “focque.” By 1573 its spelling had changed to “phoque”…

  • verb: ranger & se ranger

    ByFast French

    Meanings Differences between “Ranger” and “Se Ranger” The primary distinction between “ranger” and “se ranger” is that “ranger” concerns organizing or tidying objects, while “se ranger” relates to individuals or entities taking up a particular position, figuratively or literally. Conjugation in Present Tense and Passé Composé Let’s examine how “ranger” and “se ranger” are conjugated…