French Conversation · Level 54
73 words
French word
coffre
Pronunciation
IPA/kɔfʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nountrunk
Example
Mets les valises dans le coffre.
Put the suitcases in the trunk.
More examples
Le coffre de la voiture contient les courses.
The car trunk contains the groceries.
Core concept
A sturdy enclosed container or compartment with a lid, from a car's rear storage space to a box for protecting possessions.
Common phrases
le coffre de la voiture
car trunk
ouvrir le coffre
open the trunk
Similar words
malle: A large box with a lid for carrying clothes and personal belongings.
coffre de toit: A waterproof roof-mounted box for storing luggage outside the vehicle.
hayon: The hinged rear door of a vehicle used to load and unload luggage.
Definition in French
Compartiment fermé, souvent situé à l'arrière d'une voiture, destiné au rangement des bagages; le terme désigne aussi une boîte robuste pour conserver des objets.
Word origin
French coffre comes through Old French cofre from Latin cophinus, borrowed from Greek kophinos, meaning a basket and later a chest or container.
Usage tips
- French uses coffre-fort for a safe, while coffre alone commonly means a car trunk or a robust storage chest.
Other meanings
- chestnoun
- safenoun
- treasure chestnoun
Related words
- coffretsmall boxnoun