French word

lieu

Pronunciation

IPA/ljø/

Meaning

  • masculine nounplace

Example

Ce lieu est très calme le soir.

This place is very quiet in the evening.

Illustration for lieu (place)

More examples

Le lieu de naissance est indiqué sur le passeport.

The place of birth is indicated on the passport.

Core concept

A place understood as the setting or position of something happening or being found.

Common phrases

  • lieu de naissance

    place of birth

  • lieu de rendez-vous

    meeting place

Similar words

endroit: An everyday word for a point or area where people or things are present.
place: A broad public space where people gather or pass through.
local: A room or business premises inside a specific building, such as a shop or office.

Definition in French

Emplacement concret ou abstrait où se trouve quelque chose ou où se déroule un événement.

Word origin

Lieu is an inherited French noun from Latin locus, transmitted through Old French and retaining both concrete and event-related senses.

Usage tips

  • In avoir lieu, lieu normally appears without an article, so the whole expression is learned as a fixed phrase.

Other meanings

  • locationnoun
  • venuenoun

Related words

  • lieu-ditnamed localitynoun

Word lists with this word