French Conversation · Level 33
90 words
French word
chose
Pronunciation
IPA/ʃoz/
Meaning
- feminine nounthing
Example
C'est une chose que je n'oublierai pas.
It's something I will never forget.
More examples
Il a dit des choses intéressantes.
He said interesting things.
Core concept
A flexible placeholder for any particular object, event, idea, or matter that remains unspecified.
Common phrases
faire des choses
do things
dire des choses
say things
de bonnes choses
good things
Similar words
truc: An informal word for a thing described only vaguely in conversation.
objet: A term for a tangible, physical object.
machin: An informal stand-in for a forgotten word or name.
bidule: An informal word for a small object with an unclear shape or purpose.
Definition in French
Mot générique servant à désigner une réalité matérielle ou immatérielle non identifiée ou non nommée.
Word origin
The French noun chose developed from Latin causa through Old French, where its sense broadened from 'cause' or 'reason' to 'matter' and then 'thing'.
Usage tips
- In quelque chose, quelque chose means 'something', while quelques choses means 'a few things' and has a plural noun.
Other meanings
- matternoun
- itemnoun
Opposites
- personnepersonnoun