French word

étang

Pronunciation

IPA/etɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpond

Example

Il y a un étang près de chez moi.

There is a pond near my home.

Illustration for étang (pond)

More examples

Les enfants jouent au bord de l'étang.

The children are playing at the pond's edge.

Core concept

A quiet inland pool, sometimes shaped or maintained to keep water in one place.

Common phrases

  • bord d'étang

    pond edge

  • étang de pêche

    fishing pond

Similar words

lac: A broad, deep, natural body of water with little current.
mare: A tiny, shallow puddle formed when water collects in the ground.
bassin: A shallow artificial pool designed to contain water.
réservoir: A man-made reservoir that stores water for people or facilities.

Definition in French

Plan d'eau douce de taille modeste, à l'eau généralement immobile et souvent entouré de terres, parfois aménagé pour retenir l'eau.

Word origin

The modern form étang developed from Old French estang, inherited from Latin stagnum meaning a place of stagnant or standing water.

Usage tips

  • The final g in étang is silent, and the ending has the nasal vowel heard in sans.

Word lists with this word