French word

cheval

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃəval/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhorse

Example

Je monte à cheval tous les dimanches.

I ride a horse every Sunday.

Illustration for cheval (horse)

More examples

Ils nourrissent le cheval tous les matins.

They feed the horse every morning.

Core concept

A sturdy horse carries a rider or pulls a load, linking the animal's physical strength with transport, work, and riding.

Common phrases

  • monter à cheval

    ride horseback

  • nourrir le cheval

    give the horse food

  • soigner le cheval

    look after the horse

Similar words

poney: A short, small domesticated horse commonly ridden by children or beginners.
âne: A long-eared domesticated animal used in transport and farm work.
monture: A domesticated animal ridden to travel from place to place.

Definition in French

Mammifère herbivore domestique à quatre pattes, utilisé pour le transport, le travail et l'équitation.

Word origin

Cheval comes from Latin caballus through Old French and is related to Spanish caballo and Italian cavallo.

Usage tips

  • The fixed expression monter à cheval uses à, while être à cheval sur something means being very strict about it or insisting on it.

Related words

Word lists with this word