French Conversation · Level 172
15 words
French word
fiançailles
Pronunciation
IPA/fijɑ̃saj/
Meaning
- feminine nounengagement
Example
Nous avons annoncé nos fiançailles à nos amis.
We announced our engagement to our friends.
More examples
Ils ont célébré leurs fiançailles en famille.
They celebrated their engagement with their family.
Core concept
A formal promise to marry that places a couple on the path from commitment to marriage.
Common phrases
annoncer ses fiançailles
announce one's engagement
célébrer leurs fiançailles
celebrate their engagement
rompre les fiançailles
break off the engagement
Similar words
engagement: An agreement or promise between two people to marry.
fiancé: A male person who is engaged to be married.
promesse: A commitment to carry out a future act.
mariage: Marriage as a formal union or social institution.
Definition in French
S'emploie généralement au pluriel pour désigner l'état d'engagement officiel entre deux personnes avant le mariage.
Word origin
Fiançailles comes through Old French fiance and fiancer, with an origin linked to Latin fidere, meaning to trust or rely on.
Usage tips
- French commonly uses se fiancer for getting engaged, while fiancé or fiancée names the person who is engaged.