French Literature Category
Learn French terms and phrases related to literature. Expand your knowledge in classic and modern French literature.
auteur
author
In French, 'auteur' is used to denote author. It is often used in contexts such as storytelling, writing, film, and other mediums where creative narratives and ideas are created. Big emphasis is put on the author's unique personal influence on their work.
Example sentences with auteur →décrire
describe
The French word 'décrire' directly translates to 'describe' in English. It is primarily used in the same context, to give a detailed account or representation in words, of something such as a structure, experience, or process. Like in English, it can be used in a variety of contexts, encompassing physical descriptions, recounts of events or processes, or outlining concepts or ideas.
Example sentences with décrire →écrire
write
The French word 'écrire' translates to 'write' in English. In French grammar, 'écrire' is an irregular -re verb and requires certain modifications depending on different grammatical tenses and moods. For instance, 'I write' is 'J'écris'. It is utilized in various contexts that revolve around the act of writing like 'writing a letter' - 'écrire une lettre', 'writing a book' - 'écrire un livre', etc. Similar to English, it is also used metaphorically in some expressions.
Example sentences with écrire →histoire
story
The word 'histoire' in French corresponds to 'story' in English. It can be used in the context of telling a narrative or tale, as in 'raconte une histoire'. It can also refer to history, depending on the context. Please note that French words may have different meanings based on their usage and context.
Example sentences with histoire →intrigue
plot
In French, the word plot can be translated as 'intrigue'. It can be used in a similar context as in English, to refer to the main events in a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence, or a secret plan or scheme to accomplish some purpose, especially a hostile, unlawful, or evil purpose.
Example sentences with intrigue →lire
read
The French verb 'lire' means 'to read'. Just like in English, it can be used in several contexts such as reading a book, a sign, a map etc. It is an irregular verb and so, has different conjugations for different tenses and moods. For example, 'Il lit un livre' translates to 'He is reading a book'.
Example sentences with lire →livre
book
The French word for 'book' is 'livre'. It is used in the same context as in English, referring to a bound collection of sheets of paper, parchment, or similar materials. It can be related to a variety of genres - from novels and non-fiction works to textbooks and manuals.
Example sentences with livre →personnage
character
The French word 'personnage' translates to 'character' in English. It is used in the same contexts as the English word, both in reference to fiction (characters in a book or movie) and as a way to describe someone's personality or qualities. However, it is not used to refer to a written symbol, like English does with 'character'.
Example sentences with personnage →