French word

continental

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃tinɑ̃tal/

Meaning

  • adjectivecontinental

Example

Cette région connaît un climat continental.

This region has a continental climate.

Illustration for continental (continental)

More examples

L'hôtel sert un petit-déjeuner continental chaque matin.

The hotel serves a continental breakfast every morning.

Core concept

A vast landmass contrasted with surrounding islands and the exposed edge of the sea.

Common phrases

  • climat continental

    continental climate

  • petit-déjeuner continental

    continental breakfast

  • froid continental

    continental cold

Similar words

maritime: Relating to the sea or the coast.
intérieur: Relating to places or things located inland.
terrestre: Relating to life or phenomena occurring on land.
insulaire: Relating to an island or islands.

Definition in French

Indique qu'une chose appartient au continent ou s'y rapporte, souvent opposé aux zones insulaires ou côtières.

Word origin

French continental derives from continent by adding the productive suffix -al, which forms an adjective meaning related to it.

Usage tips

  • In petit-déjeuner continental, continental refers to a light European-style breakfast, not to geography alone.

Opposites

Word lists with this word