"Le" or "Les"?

[Jerk Store*]

Legitimate question, I hear announcers, hosts etc. either call the Canadiens "Le Canadien(s?)" or "Les Canadiens". Just wondering why so many call them at the singular in french. Based on the website, the official name is "Les Canadiens", so I don't get why some call it differently. Is there a reason for it? Historical or other?

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[peate]

It's Le Club de Hockey Les Canadiens de Montréal. Both are correct I guess.

 

[Le Tricolore]

It's Le Club de Hockey Les Canadiens de Montréal. Both are correct I guess.

The Les doesn't go there.

Le Club de Hockey Canadien de Montreal is the official name (or at least was at some point)

Les Canadiens de Montreal is what they're most commonly called, though.

 

[Teufelsdreck]

I refer to the team as le Canadien. I don't mind what other Habs fans choose.

 

[LyricalLyricist]

I consider Le Canadien as reference to the brand rather than the team.

 

[Jerk Store*]

The Les doesn't go there.

Le Club de Hockey Canadien de Montreal is the official name (or at least was at some point)

Les Canadiens de Montreal is what they're most commonly called, though.

Ah I see. Kinda sounds cool, like FC'ish.

 

[Jerk Store*]

I consider Le Canadien as reference to the brand rather than the team.

But others reference the team that way, others another way. It's a little annoying to have 2 ways of saying it for no rhyme or reason.

 

[zzoo]

Les Canadiens jouent bien ou les Canadiens joue bien ?

 

[cphabs]

My command of the English language, native tongue no less, warrants a plea as a Hab(s) fan... I can't even get my own language correct! On second thought, this is why I love the Hab(s)! The passion Le or Les? Please tell us!

 

[Knuckles30]

Le Canadiens refers to the team (i.e. the collective).

Les Canadiens refers to the group of players.

 

[Habs Homer]

They are both common and accepted.

However, I think the "proper" way would be "Les Canadiens" considering "Canadiens" is the official spelling and there's a S at the end. You wouldn't write "Le Canadiens" as "Les" is for plural. You wouldn't say "Le Bruin" or "Le Senateur D'ottawa". But the Habs been part of our culture for so long that "Le Canadien" sounds good to our ear. It's almost an affectionate term. I think only fans would refer to habs as "Le Canadien".

I think only 2 teams in the league are not in plural form:

Le Lightning de Tampa Bay (Only one lightning)
L'avalanche du Colorado (Only one avalanche)

 

[Jerk Store*]

Le Canadiens refers to the team (i.e. the collective).

Les Canadiens refers to the group of players.

The group of players is the team. Why don't they say "Le Pingouin", "Le Star", "Le Blue Jacket", etc?

 

[PhysicX]

They are both common and accepted.

However, I think the "proper" way would be "Les Canadiens" considering "Canadiens" is the official spelling and there's a S at the end. You wouldn't write "Le Canadiens" as "Les" is for plural. You wouldn't say "Le Bruin" or "Le Senateur D'ottawa". But the Habs been part of our culture for so long that "Le Canadien" sounds good to our ear. It's almost an affectionate term. I think only fans would refer to habs as "Le Canadien".

I think only 2 teams in the league are not in plural form:

Le Lightning de Tampa Bay (Only one lightning)
L'avalanche du Colorado (Only one avalanche)

Le Wild aussi

 

[Bob Cole]

Interesting question. I've always said Le Canadiens but don't know why lol

 

[Jerk Store*]

Interesting question. I've always said Le Canadiens but don't know why lol

Doesn't work

 

[snakeye]

Le club de hockey canadien de montreal.
Les canadiens de montreal.

 

[JLP]

Good question and in French both singular and plural can be and are used.

Got me thinking about "The Avalanche" vs "The Hurricanes"

One hurricane not dramatic enough?

 

[Chadstudsky]

Yvan Cournoyer says 'j'ai joué pour canadien'

 

[PricePkPatch*]

Les Canadiens jouent bien ou les Canadiens joue bien ?

Le Canadien joue se soir contre les Bruins
Les Canadiens jouent se soir contre les Bruins

 

[Jabrony]

Le Canadien joue se soir contre les Bruins
Les Canadiens jouent se soir contre les Bruins

ce soir*. Not se soir.

 

[PricePkPatch*]

ce soir*. Not se soir.

 

[Knuckles30]

Le club de hockey canadien de montreal.
Les canadiens de montreal.

Exactly. When people say "le Canadien", they are shortening the above. It can be used interchangeable with "le club" or "l'equipe".

When they say "les Canadiens" it is like saying "les joueurs".

 

[Analyzer*]

Probably because I'm English, but Le Canadien is referring to the Canadian. Me, or pretty much everyone in this thread.

Les Canadiens (to me) always refers to the habs.

Chances are, if you hear an English speaking announcer refer to the them as "le canadien" it's because both s's are silent, or at least we make them so. He's really saying "Les Canadiens" I believe Doc Emerk calls them "lez (emphasis on the s where, from my understanding there shouldn't be any in this situation) Canadiens.

On a side note I think the sabres name in french is funny

Avez-vous regarde le match heir ? Les Canadiens contre les sabres.
Non... Mais, Les Arbes ? C'est un equipe ?

Ahh I can only amuse myself in my broken French.

 

[Gabe84]

ce soir*. Not se soir.

Jouzent* not jouent.

 

[Analyzer*]

Jouzent* not jouent.

How so ? Jouer is an "er" verb and would be conjugated as ent for Ils/elles, no ?

I'm just trying to understand so I don't make the mistake.

Rule of two vowels being together ?