French word

berge

Pronunciation

IPA/bɛʁʒ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounriverbank

Example

On a pique-niqué sur la berge hier.

We had a picnic on the riverbank yesterday.

Illustration for berge (riverbank)

More examples

Nous avons marché le long de la berge.

We walked along the riverbank.

Core concept

A narrow strip of earth or stone beside flowing water, sometimes shaped into a usable walkway.

Common phrases

  • sur la berge

    on the riverbank

  • la berge du fleuve

    the riverbank

  • l'autre berge

    the opposite bank

Similar words

rive: Land along a river or lake where it meets the water.
bord: The immediate edge or narrow area beside the water.
quai: A built walkway or platform along the shore for boats and passing people.

Definition in French

Partie aménagée ou naturelle qui longe un cours d'eau, servant de limite entre l'eau et les terrains voisins.

Word origin

Berge comes from Old French berge and is linked to a Germanic root associated with raised ground.

Usage tips

  • Berge is feminine, so standard forms include une berge, la berge, and sur la berge.

Other meanings

  • banknoun

Word lists with this word