French word

escalier

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛskalje/

Meaning

  • masculine nounstairs

Example

Je monte les escaliers tous les jours.

I go up the stairs every day.

Illustration for escalier (stairs)

More examples

Elle a glissé dans les escaliers.

She slipped on the stairs.

Core concept

Built steps arranged as a vertical route inside or outside a building.

Common phrases

  • monter les escaliers

    climb the stairs

  • descendre les escaliers

    go down the stairs

  • prendre les escaliers

    take the stairs

Similar words

ascenseur: A box-shaped machine that transports people or goods vertically.
escalator: A moving staircase with continuous steps that carries people between levels.
marche: An individual flat step in a staircase where a foot is placed.
rampe: A sloping passage designed for wheelchairs or handcarts.

Definition in French

Structure architecturale composée de marches, utilisée à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur d'un bâtiment pour la circulation verticale.

Word origin

The word belongs to the Romance family descended from Latin scala, "ladder" or "staircase," through older French forms.

Usage tips

  • In everyday French, prendre l'escalier means using the stairs rather than taking an elevator.

Other meanings

  • staircasenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word