French Conversation · Level 97
60 words
French word
berceau
Pronunciation
IPA/bɛʁso/
Meaning
- masculine nouncradle
Example
Le bébé dort dans le berceau.
The baby sleeps in the cradle.
More examples
Cette région est le berceau de nombreuses traditions.
This region is the cradle of many traditions.
Core concept
A baby lies in a compact cradle that rocks softly, while the same image extends to a source or birthplace.
Common phrases
dans le berceau
in the cradle
le berceau de l'humanité
the cradle of humanity
un berceau en bois
a wooden cradle
Similar words
lit: A piece of furniture where a person lies down to sleep on a mattress or bedding.
poussette: A wheeled baby carriage designed for pushing a seated baby outdoors.
couffin: A small woven carrycot that can be moved with a sleeping baby inside.
landau: A covered pram that lets a baby lie down while being taken outdoors.
Definition in French
Petit lit ou support destiné aux nouveau-nés, conçu pour être bercé afin d'aider l'enfant à s'endormir.
Word origin
Berceau developed from the French verb bercer, 'to rock', through a diminutive formation for the small bed used with infants.
Usage tips
- In berceau de, the following noun commonly identifies an origin or birthplace, as in le berceau de la Renaissance, rather than a physical cradle.