French word

berline

Pronunciation

IPA/bɛʁlin/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsedan

Example

Sa famille possède une berline depuis dix ans.

His family has owned a sedan for a decade.

Illustration for berline (sedan)

More examples

La famille a choisi une berline familiale pour les longs trajets.

The family chose a family sedan for long trips.

Core concept

A closed passenger car with a distinct trunk behind the cabin.

Common phrases

  • une berline familiale

    family sedan

  • une berline neuve

    new sedan

  • vendre une berline

    sell a sedan

Similar words

voiture: A general-purpose car used to carry people or luggage.
bagnole: An informal name for a car, sometimes sounding familiar or mildly critical.
automobile: A somewhat formal term for a four-wheeled car powered by an engine.

Definition in French

Véhicule particulier fermé, destiné au transport de personnes, souvent caractérisé par un coffre séparé de l'habitacle.

Word origin

French berline comes from Italian berlina, a carriage associated with Berlin, and later named a comparable closed automobile.

Usage tips

  • Berline is feminine, so the usual article is une berline, and the term is more specific and formal than voiture.

Word lists with this word