French Conversation · Level 29
89 words
French word
éternel
Pronunciation
IPA/etɛʁnɛl/
Meaning
- adjectiveeternal
Example
Cet amour est éternel.
This love is eternal.
More examples
Son sourire laisse un souvenir éternel.
His smile leaves an eternal memory.
Core concept
A line of time with no final point, applied to lasting things, feelings, or qualities.
Common phrases
amour éternel
eternal love
souvenir éternel
eternal memory
Similar words
permanent: Enduring over a long period without changing.
constant: Maintained at the same level or condition.
Definition in French
Qui dure sans fin dans le temps, utilisé au sens propre ou figuré.
Word origin
Éternel comes through Old French from Latin aeternalis, based on aeternus, 'everlasting', which is related to aevum, 'age' or 'eternity'.
Usage tips
- Éternel often sounds emphatic or literary in everyday speech, while toujours or pour la vie is more natural for many practical promises.
Other meanings
- permanentadjective
- unchangingadjective
Opposites
- éphémèreephemeraladjective
- temporairetemporaryadjective
Related words
- éternitéeternitynoun
- éternellementeternallyadverb
- éterniserprolongverb