Skip to main content
Illustrated French dictionary page sorting masculine and feminine nouns on an aged paper background
Photo: OpenAI
French LanguageMedium

French Noun Gender: Masculine or Feminine?

In French, astérisque is masculine despite its -que ending, échappatoire is feminine despite its -oire, tentacule is masculine. Test your ear on the trickiest French gender traps.

15

Questions

2

Minutes

Tip: Use keys 1-4 to answer quickly

The 15 quiz questions

Question 1 : What is the gender of the French word "astérisque" (asterisk)?

Possible answers:

  • Both are accepted
  • Masculin
  • Féminin
  • Neutre

Explanation: "Astérisque" is MASCULINE in French. You say "un astérisque". The mistake often comes from the -que ending which suggests feminine.

Question 2 : What is the gender of the French word "échappatoire" (escape)?

Possible answers:

  • Both are accepted
  • Féminin
  • Masculin
  • Neutre

Explanation: "Échappatoire" is FEMININE in French. You say "une échappatoire". Many believe it is masculine because of the -oire suffix.

Question 3 : What is the gender of the French word "tentacule"?

Possible answers:

  • It depends on the context
  • Both are accepted
  • Masculine
  • Feminine

Explanation: Tentacule is MASCULINE in French. You say "un tentacule". The -ule ending often leads to mistakes.

Question 4 : What is the gender of the French word "oasis"?

Possible answers:

  • Both are accepted
  • It depends on the number
  • Masculin
  • Féminin

Explanation: "Oasis" is FEMININE in French. You say "une oasis". This word of Greek origin designating a fertile place in the desert is indeed feminine.

Question 5 : What is the gender of the French word "pétale" (petal)?

Possible answers:

  • Masculin
  • Both are accepted
  • Neutre
  • Féminin

Explanation: "Pétale" is MASCULINE in French. You say "un pétale de rose". The soft sound of the word often misleads.

Question 6 : What is the gender of the French word "amnistie" (amnesty)?

Possible answers:

  • It depends on the context
  • Masculin
  • Both are accepted
  • Féminin

Explanation: "Amnistie" is FEMININE in French. You say "une amnistie". This legal term meaning the erasure of convictions is indeed feminine.

Question 7 : What is the gender of the French word "effluve" (emanation)?

Possible answers:

  • Féminin
  • It depends on the register
  • Masculin
  • Both are accepted

Explanation: "Effluve" is MASCULINE in French. You say "un effluve". This word meaning a fragrant emanation is often mistakenly taken as feminine.

Question 8 : What is the gender of the French word "épithète" (epithet)?

Possible answers:

  • Féminin
  • Neutre
  • Masculin
  • Both are accepted

Explanation: "Épithète" is FEMININE in French. You say "une épithète". This grammatical term for a qualifying adjective is indeed feminine.

Question 9 : What is the gender of the French word "haltère" (dumbbell)?

Possible answers:

  • Masculin
  • Féminin
  • Neutre
  • Both are accepted

Explanation: "Haltère" is MASCULINE in French. You say "un haltère". The sound and sports context often cause confusion.

Question 10 : What is the gender of the French word "orbite" (orbit)?

Possible answers:

  • Neutre
  • Both depending on the field
  • Masculin
  • Féminin

Explanation: "Orbite" is FEMININE in French. You say "une orbite". Whether in astronomy or anatomy (eye socket), the word remains feminine.

Question 11 : What is the gender of the French word "agrume" (citrus)?

Possible answers:

  • Masculin
  • Both are accepted
  • Féminin
  • It depends on the fruit

Explanation: "Agrume" is MASCULINE in French. You say "un agrume". This term for oranges, lemons, etc. is masculine despite its sound.

Question 12 : What is the gender of the French word "anagramme" (anagram)?

Possible answers:

  • Neutre
  • Both are accepted
  • Féminin
  • Masculin

Explanation: "Anagramme" is FEMININE in French. You say "une anagramme". This word game where you rearrange letters of a word is indeed feminine.

Question 13 : What is the gender of the French word "alvéole" (alveolus)?

Possible answers:

  • It depends on the meaning
  • Féminin
  • Both are accepted
  • Masculin

Explanation: "Alvéole" is FEMININE in French. You say "une alvéole". The Académie française has ruled: it is feminine, even though masculine was long tolerated.

Question 14 : What is the gender of the French word "amiante" (asbestos)?

Possible answers:

  • Neutre
  • Masculin
  • Both are accepted
  • Féminin

Explanation: "Amiante" is MASCULINE in French. You say "un amiante". This dangerous fibrous mineral is indeed masculine despite its ending.

Question 15 : What is the gender of the French word "enzyme"?

Possible answers:

  • Both are accepted
  • It depends on the context
  • Féminin
  • Masculin

Explanation: "Enzyme" is FEMININE in French. You say "une enzyme". These proteins that catalyze biological reactions are feminine.

This quiz has been played 1 times