French Conversation · Level 26
89 words
French word
ciel
Pronunciation
IPA/sjɛl/
Meaning
- masculine nounsky
Example
Le ciel est bleu aujourd'hui.
The sky is blue today.
More examples
Le ciel est étoilé ce soir.
The sky is starry tonight.
Core concept
A vast overhead dome that holds the sun, clouds, moon, and stars.
Common phrases
un ciel étoilé
a starry sky
un ciel nuageux
a cloudy sky
le ciel bleu
the blue sky
Similar words
nuage: A floating mass of water droplets or ice crystals that partly covers the sky.
soleil: The bright body visible during the day that gives light and warmth.
lune: The natural satellite of Earth, seen at night or dawn in changing phases.
étoile: A distant glowing body that shines like a small point in the night sky.
Definition in French
Désigne l'espace visible au-dessus de la terre, perçu comme l'atmosphère ou la voûte céleste où se trouvent le soleil, les nuages et les étoiles.
Word origin
The French noun ciel developed from Latin caelum through Old French, while its core meaning of the visible heavens remained stable.
Usage tips
- The plural is usually cieux in elevated or celestial senses, but ciels also occurs for physical skies or distinct sky scenes.