French Conversation · Level 87
60 words
French word
francophonie
Pronunciation
IPA/fʁɑ̃kofoni/
Meaning
- feminine nounFrench-speaking world
Example
La francophonie regroupe des pays où l'on parle français.
The French-speaking world brings together countries where French is spoken.
More examples
Au sein de la francophonie, des festivals célèbrent la langue française.
Within the French-speaking world, festivals celebrate the French language.
Core concept
A network of countries, communities, and institutions linked by the use or promotion of French.
Common phrases
au sein de la francophonie
within the French-speaking world
les pays de la francophonie
countries of the French-speaking world
Similar words
francophone: A person or group that speaks French.
Definition in French
Terme désignant l'ensemble des pays, des communautés et des institutions où le français est utilisé ou promu.
Word origin
The geographer Onésime Reclus coined francophonie in the late nineteenth century from franco- for French and -phonie from Greek phōnē, meaning voice or sound.
Usage tips
- Lowercase la francophonie names the broad French-speaking world, while La Francophonie commonly refers to the international organization.
Other meanings
- French-speaking communitynoun
Opposites
- anglophonieEnglish-speaking worldnoun
Related words
- francophoneFrench speakernoun