French Conversation · Level 83
60 words
French word
lointain
Pronunciation
IPA/lwɛ̃tɛ̃/
Meaning
- adjectivedistant
Example
Il habite dans un village lointain.
He lives in a distant village.
More examples
Le souvenir de mon enfance est lointain.
The memory of my childhood is distant.
Core concept
A far-off point remains outside the speaker's immediate place, time, or circle of connection.
Common phrases
pays lointain
distant country
endroit lointain
distant place
Similar words
éloigné: Physically far away and not nearby.
distant: Cold and reserved, showing little personal warmth or friendliness.
reculé: Remote from people and transport, making the place inconvenient to reach.
isolé: Isolated from its surroundings, with few people or buildings nearby.
Definition in French
Qui désigne ce qui est éloigné, qu'il s'agisse d'un lieu, d'une époque ou d'une relation.
Word origin
The adjective is inherited through medieval French lointain from Latin longitanus, a form related to longus and expressing extended distance.
Usage tips
- For people or relationships, lointain often means remote or not close, as in un cousin lointain, rather than physically far away.