Is « substance » masculine or feminine?

« substance » is feminine. You say la substance.

Article forms

With the definite article la substance
With the indefinite article une substance
With the partitive article de la substance

Plural

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

Why the gender

substance ends in -ance. Nouns ending in -ance are usually feminine, so substance 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 « substance » masculine or feminine?

« substance » is feminine. You say la substance.

Is it « le substance » or « la substance »?

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


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