French Conversation · Level 103
60 words
French word
fleuve
Pronunciation
IPA/flœv/
Meaning
- masculine nounriver
Example
Le fleuve traverse la ville.
The river flows through the city.
More examples
Nous aimons nous promener le long des berges du fleuve.
We like taking walks along the banks of the river.
Core concept
A large inland watercourse gathers flow along its route and empties into the sea or ocean.
Common phrases
les berges du fleuve
the banks of the river
le fleuve navigable
the navigable river
la crue du fleuve
the river's flooding
Similar words
rivière: A river that flows into another river or a lake.
ruisseau: A small, narrow stream flowing through mountains or fields.
affluent: A tributary that flows into another river.
torrent: A short mountain stream that swells and rushes after rain or snowmelt.
Definition in French
Cours d'eau de grande importance qui naît d'une source et achève son cours en se jetant dans l'océan ou la mer.
Word origin
The French noun fleuve developed from Latin fluvius through Old French, with a history linked to the verb fluere, meaning to flow.
Usage tips
- French distinguishes a fleuve from a rivière mainly by its outlet: a fleuve reaches the sea or ocean, while a rivière flows into another watercourse.
Related words
- fluvialriverineadjective