French word

chemin

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃəmɛ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpath

Example

Prends le chemin à droite.

Take the path on the right.

Illustration for chemin (path)

More examples

On a tracé un nouveau chemin dans le parc.

A new path was laid out in the park.

Core concept

A narrow route carries a traveler toward a destination, either on the ground or toward a figurative goal.

Common phrases

  • chemin de terre

    dirt path

  • prendre le chemin

    take the path

  • suivre le chemin

    follow the path

Similar words

rue: A city street lined with homes and shops for pedestrians and cars.
route: A wide paved road for vehicles traveling between distant places.
avenue: A broad city street with trees and wide sidewalks.
boulevard: A broad main street lined with buildings and shops for cars and pedestrians.

Definition in French

Trajet ou passage, souvent de taille modeste (sentier, ruelle), pouvant aussi désigner au sens figuré une direction à suivre.

Word origin

French chemin developed through Old French from Vulgar Latin *camīnu-, a word for a route used by travelers.

Usage tips

  • In prendre le chemin de..., de can introduce a literal destination or a figurative course to follow.

Other meanings

  • routenoun
  • waynoun

Word lists with this word