French Conversation · Level 119
60 words
French word
brocante
Pronunciation
IPA/bʁokɑ̃t/
Meaning
- feminine nounflea market
Example
On va à la brocante dimanche matin.
We are going to the flea market on Sunday morning.
More examples
J'ai trouvé un miroir ancien à la brocante.
I found an antique mirror at the flea market.
Core concept
A short-lived gathering of private sellers whose assorted used goods invite a search for a worthwhile find.
Common phrases
aller à la brocante
go to the flea market
visiter une brocante
visit a flea market
acheter à la brocante
buy at the flea market
Similar words
marché aux puces: A large flea market, indoors or outdoors, offering antiques and secondhand goods.
vide-grenier: A small community sale where residents sell unwanted household items in streets or squares.
braderie: A large temporary street sale where shops and residents offer goods at steep discounts.
foire: A large outdoor fair with stalls selling goods and food alongside entertainment.
Definition in French
Événement temporaire où l'on expose et vend des bibelots, des meubles et divers objets d'occasion, souvent organisé par des particuliers.
Word origin
The noun brocante comes from brocanter, a 19th-century French verb meaning to deal in second-hand goods.
Usage tips
- Brocante often suggests antique or collectible goods, while vide-grenier more specifically suggests household items sold by private individuals.