French Conversation · Level 48
74 words
French word
milieu
Pronunciation
IPA/miljø/
Meaning
- masculine nounmiddle
Example
Les enfants jouent au milieu du jardin.
The children are playing in the middle of the garden.
More examples
Il vient d'un milieu modeste.
He comes from a modest background.
Core concept
A point or zone at the heart of a place, group, or social setting.
Common phrases
milieu social
social background
au milieu de la route
in the middle of the road
Similar words
contexte: The surrounding circumstances that shape an event's meaning or situation.
cadre: The setting, scope, or conditions in which an activity or event takes place.
ambiance: The atmosphere or feeling created by a place or situation.
environnement: The external conditions surrounding a person or thing.
Definition in French
Point ou zone placé au centre d'un lieu ou d'un groupe ; au sens figuré, cadre ou contexte social et culturel entourant quelqu'un ou quelque chose.
Word origin
The French noun milieu developed from the compound mi lieu, meaning a middle place, and later extended from physical position to social and cultural context.
Usage tips
- In its social sense, milieu often means a social or professional circle, a meaning not normally carried by the English word 'middle'.
Other meanings
- environmentnoun
- backgroundnoun
Opposites
- périphérieperipherynoun
- bordedgenoun