Understanding Nouns in French
Explore the concept of nouns in French language including its usage, types and examples.
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 →automne
fall
In French, 'automne' refers to the season of fall or autumn. It's used in the same context as in English, to describe the period of the year between summer and winter when temperatures gradually decrease and leaves change color and fall off the trees.
Example sentences with automne →autre
other
The French word for 'other' is 'autre'. It is used to refer to an alternate or remaining person or thing in French. 'Autre' can also often used in contexts to imply 'different'. For example, 'l'autre jour' means 'the other day', and 'une autre personne' means 'another person'. The use of 'autre' also changes according to the gender and number; 'autre' for singular and 'autres' for plural.
Example sentences with autre →avantage
benefit
The French word 'avantage' is used similarly to the English word 'benefit', generally referring to a profit or gain. It can be used in various contexts, such as physical/health 'benefits,' and 'benefits' in finance and economics. Just like in English, it can also be used metaphorically to refer to any kind of advantage or upper hand. For example, in sports, a 'home advantage' would be translated as 'avantage à domicile' in French.
Example sentences with avantage →avenir
future
The French word 'avenir' is favorably used to denote 'future' in English. It is used in same contexts as it is in English, to refer to the time that is to come. It can be used in various sentences like 'Je pense à mon avenir' meaning 'I am thinking about my future'. It is a common word used in daily conversations and formal discussions about mission, direction or vision.
Example sentences with avenir →avis
opinion
The French word 'avis' directly translates to 'opinion' in English. It is used in a similar fashion as in English - to express personal beliefs, thoughts, or views on a particular topic. For example, 'Mon avis est que le film était excellent' means 'My opinion is that the movie was excellent'. It can be used in various contexts and can replace 'opinion' in almost all English sentences.
Example sentences with avis →balle
ball
The French word 'balle' is used to refer to any ball-like object, similar to the English 'ball'. It can be used in various contexts such as sports, play, or even to refer to the shape of an object. Just like in English, 'balle' can be used to describe the act of throwing a ball (jeter une balle), catching a ball (attraper une balle), or playing with a ball (jouer à la balle).
Example sentences with balle →banque
bank
In French, 'banque' refers to a financial institution that accepts deposits, lends money and offers related financial services. It is used in the same context as the English word 'bank'. For example, 'Je vais à la banque' means 'I am going to the bank'.
Example sentences with banque →base
base
In French, 'base' is used in a similar context as in English, referring to the bottom support of anything or a concept that provides the foundation for something. It's used in various phrases and idiomatic expressions. For example, 'fractions de base' can be used to refer to basic fractions in math.
Example sentences with base →bâtiment
building
The French word for building is 'bâtiment'. It is used in the same way as in English to refer to any type of structure that has a roof and walls, such as houses, schools, offices, etc. For example, 'J'habite dans un grand bâtiment' means 'I live in a big building'.
Example sentences with bâtiment →beau
beautiful
The English word 'beautiful' is translated as 'beau' in French. It is used to describe anything that one finds pleasing or attractive, much like the usage in English. Its feminine form is 'belle', used when referring to a female or an object that is feminine according to French grammar. The plural form is 'beaux' for masculine or mixed groups, and 'belles' for an all-female group.
Example sentences with beau →bébé
baby
The French word 'bébé' is used similarly to the English word 'baby'. It can be used to refer to a child that is yet to walk or talk or as an affectionate term to refer to a loved one, such as a significant other.
Example sentences with bébé →bienvenue
welcome
The French word 'bienvenue' is used in almost the same ways as 'welcome' in English. It can be used to greet someone in your home or place of work, to accept gratefully something that is offered, or to acknowledge someone's thanks.
Example sentences with bienvenue →biscuits
cookies
The French equivalent for the English word 'cookies' is 'biscuits'. 'Biscuits' in French cover a wide range of both sweet and savoury varieties, just like 'cookies' in English. Examples of its usage in sentences could be: 'J'aime les biscuits avec mon café' (I like cookies with my coffee), 'J'ai mangé tous les biscuits' (I ate all the cookies).
Example sentences with biscuits →bleu
blue
The French word 'bleu' is used similarly as 'blue' in English language, referring to a color that resembles clear sky. Just like in English, it can also be used to describe feelings, for instance, to express sorrow. You can use it in the same context you'd use 'blue' in English, for painting descriptors, appearances, or moods.
Example sentences with bleu →bureau
office
The French word for office is 'bureau'. It is used much in the same way as it is in English - to refer to a place where people work, often in front of a computer. It can also refer to a desk, which is often found in an office. In a broader sense, it could refer to a division or branch of a government, company, or other organization.
Example sentences with bureau →but
goal
In French, 'but' is used as 'goal' in English. It is used in reference to an aim or desired result. For example, in the context of a sport like football or a personal ambition. It can also represent the object of a person's ambition or effort.
Example sentences with but →calendrier
calendar
The word 'calendrier' is a masculine noun in French, used in the same contexts as the English word 'calendar'. For example, you can use it to refer to a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning, length, and divisions of a year.
Example sentences with calendrier →camarade
comrade
'Camarade' is another way of saying friend in French. It is often used to refer to a classmate or anyone with whom you share a common activity or bond.
Example sentences with camarade →campagne
campaign
The French word 'campagne' is used in the same way as the English word 'campaign'. It is generally used to refer to an organized effort towards a particular goal, such as a political campaign ('campagne électorale') or advertising campaign ('campagne publicitaire'). Like in English, it can also refer to the countryside or rural areas.
Example sentences with campagne →candidat
candidate
The French word 'candidat' translates to 'candidate' in English. It is used in much the same way as the English term: to refer to someone who is applying for a job or running in an election. It can be used in various contexts such as in politics (candidat à la présidence), job applications (candidat pour un poste), and competitive processes in general.
Example sentences with candidat →capacité
ability
The French word for 'ability' is 'capacité'. It is used in various contexts to discuss someone's skills or capabilities. Similar to English, it can be used both in terms of physical abilities, like 'la capacité à courir' meaning 'the ability to run', as well as mental, like 'la capacité à comprendre' which translates to 'the ability to understand'. In addition to this, 'capacité' can also refer to capacity or volume in certain contexts.
Example sentences with capacité →carrière
career
The French equivalent for the English word 'career' is 'carrière'. It is used in a similar context, describing one's progression in their professional life. For example, 'Sa carrière en tant que médecin est très réussie' means 'His career as a doctor is very successful'. Like English, 'carrière' can be used in various contexts outside of just professional advancement, such as 'carrière musicale' (musical career).
Example sentences with carrière →carte
card
The French word 'carte' translates to 'card' in English. It is used quite similarly to how it's used in English, like in the context of a business card ('carte de visite'), a playing card ('carte à jouer'), or a menu card in a restaurant ('carte du jour'). It's pronounced kahrt.
Example sentences with carte →cas
case
The French word 'cas' is used similarly to the English 'case'. It can suggest a particular situation or event, as well as a legal investigation. But be careful, in French 'cas' does not mean a box or a container, for that the word 'boîte' is used.
Example sentences with cas →casser
break
The French word for 'break' is 'casser'. It usually refers to the action of breaking, fracturing, smashing or cracking something. However, it is not used in the context of taking a break – for that, 'faire une pause' is used in French. Like the English 'break', 'casser' can also be used in many idiomatic expressions in French.
Example sentences with casser →cause
cause
The French word 'cause' is similar to its English counterpart 'cause'. It is used as a noun to refer to the origin or reason for something. However, it can also be used as a verb in some contexts equivalent to 'to cause'. Just like in English, it's used both in a legal context about a court cause, or to talk about the cause of events or phenomena. It's pronounced as koz.
Example sentences with cause →ce soir
tonight
The phrase 'ce soir' directly translates to 'this evening' in English, but it is commonly used to mean 'tonight'. It is widely used in daily conversation in French-speaking countries and is appropriate to use in both casual and formal contexts.
Example sentences with ce soir →célébration
celebration
The French word 'célébration' is used similarly to how 'celebration' is used in English. One could use it with parties, festivities, or other events where there is a sense of happiness and commemoration. For example, 'La célébration de son anniversaire est la semaine prochaine' translates to 'Her birthday celebration is next week'.
Example sentences with célébration →cellule
cell
The French word for 'cell' is 'cellule.' It can be used in the same contexts as it is in English, including referring to biological cells, the smallest unit of life, or rooms in a prison. It can also be used metaphorically in different contexts.
Example sentences with cellule →