Is « frein » masculine or feminine?

« frein » is masculine. You say le frein.

Article forms

With the definite article le frein
With the indefinite article un frein
With the partitive article du frein

Plural

The plural is freins (les freins). A noun keeps its gender in the plural; only the article stops showing it.

Why the gender

frein ends in -in. Nouns ending in -in are usually masculine, so frein follows the pattern. The full rules by ending cover every common suffix.

Related words

Other common nouns that end the same way:

Common questions

Is « frein » masculine or feminine?

« frein » is masculine. You say le frein.

Is it « la frein » or « le frein »?

It is « le frein ». « la frein » is incorrect.


Check another word, or read the complete guide to French noun gender.