French word

cap

Pronunciation

IPA/kap/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncourse

Example

Le navire a changé de cap.

The ship changed course.

Illustration for cap (course)

More examples

Nous avons pris le cap vers l'est.

We set a course eastward.

Core concept

A chosen heading points toward a landmark and can extend to a new course or policy.

Common phrases

  • changer de cap

    change course

  • prendre le cap

    set a course

  • mettre le cap sur

    set a course for ___

Similar words

direction: The bearing or way in which someone is headed.
route: A road or way used to travel between places.
trajet: The journey or distance covered between two places.
parcours: The course followed along a journey.

Definition in French

Orientation générale ou route suivie, notamment la route d'un navire ; au sens concret, une pointe de terre appelée cap.

Word origin

The geographical sense of French cap developed from Latin caput, 'head', through Occitan cap for a headland, while the course sense arose from maritime usage.

Usage tips

  • French uses changer de cap and prendre un nouveau cap for a change of direction, and de takes no article in changer de cap.

Other meanings

  • capenoun

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