Any French anons out there to help me make sense of something?

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Anonymous
2016-01-25 21:25:30 Post No. 7624523
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Anonymous 2016-01-25 21:25:30 Post No. 7624523 [Report]

Any French anons out there to help me make sense of something?

Currently learning the language to try and read some of my favorite books in their native language--in this case it's French.

At the moment I'm confused by something. What are the general meanings and differences between "n'a pas" and "n'ont pas?" Is one present tense and the other past tense? Is one used to address a singular noun and the other multiple? I keep getting mixed messages and meanings.

Also, what's the difference between "Du" and "De?" I get that they're masculine and feminine for "some," but how am I supposed to know if rice or coffee is masculine or feminine?

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Anonymous 2016-01-25 22:10:37 Post No.7624751
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Anonymous 2016-01-25 22:10:37 Post No.7624751 [Report]

>>7624523
>"n'a pas" and "n'ont pas
Different conjugations. One is for Il or Elle or On, the other for plural ones
Just go to frenchabout.com m'negro, it has all of these

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Anonymous 2016-01-25 22:52:23 Post No.7624902
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Anonymous 2016-01-25 22:52:23 Post No.7624902 [Report]

>>7624523

>what's the difference between "Du" and "De?"

Du is basically a contraction of "De le" which isn't used in french language because it would sound awful.
There is no female equivalent, we do use "De la" when needed.

That would be the same difference that there is between "of" and "of the"

Example:

"pont de bois" -> "bridge of wood' aka wooden bridge

pont du Roi -> "bridge of THE king" aka King's bridge.

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Anonymous 2016-01-25 22:54:49 Post No.7624911
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Anonymous 2016-01-25 22:54:49 Post No.7624911 [Report]

>>7624902

Forgot to mention, "de le" exists but is used in totally different piece of sentences. I was secifically taling about its use in relation to du.

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Anonymous 2016-01-26 13:57:01 Post No.7626804
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Anonymous 2016-01-26 13:57:01 Post No.7626804 [Report]

>>7624523
Bloody hell mate. How long have you been studying French, 15 minutes? Buy a textbook