French Conversation · Level 8
90 words
French word
molécule
Pronunciation
IPA/molekyl/
Meaning
- feminine nounmolecule
Example
Cette molécule est trop petite pour être vue.
This molecule is too small to be seen.
More examples
La petite molécule traverse la membrane cellulaire.
The small molecule crosses the cell membrane.
Core concept
A microscopic packet of matter built from linked atoms and carrying a substance's chemical identity.
Common phrases
une molécule d'eau
a water molecule
une petite molécule
a small molecule
Similar words
atome: The smallest particle that forms a substance.
composé: One chemical substance made from bonded atoms of different elements.
Definition in French
Plus petite unité d'une substance, composée d'atomes liés et responsable des propriétés chimiques de cette substance.
Word origin
The French noun molécule was borrowed through scientific Latin from Latin molecula, the diminutive of moles, meaning mass.
Usage tips
- French molécule is pronounced roughly /mɔ.le.kyl/, with the French rounded vowel in the final syllable rather than the English vowel in molecule.
Related words
- moléculairemolecularadjective