French word

eau

Pronunciation

IPA/o/

Meaning

  • feminine nounwater

Example

Puis-je avoir de l'eau, s'il vous plaît ?

May I have some water, please?

Illustration for eau (water)

More examples

Après la randonnée, j'ai bu un verre d'eau.

After the hike, I drank a glass of water.

Core concept

A transparent natural substance gathered in a glass, flowing through landscapes, or used to wash and prepare food.

Common phrases

  • un verre d'eau

    a glass of water

  • de l'eau minérale

    mineral water

  • une bouteille d'eau minérale

    a bottle of mineral water

Similar words

boisson: Any liquid intended for drinking.
eau gazeuse: Carbonated water served as a drink, with bubbles.
eau plate: Drinking water without carbonation or bubbles.

Definition in French

Liquide incolore et essentiel à la vie, présent naturellement et utilisé pour boire, cuisiner et nettoyer.

Word origin

The French noun eau developed from Latin aqua through the Old French forms eve and ewe, while its spelling and pronunciation gradually changed to eau and /o/.

Usage tips

  • A request normally uses the partitive form de l'eau, as in Puis-je avoir de l'eau, rather than bare eau.

Other meanings

  • moisturenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word