French word

pan

Pronunciation

IPA/pɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpart

Example

Un pan du mur s'est effondré.

A part of the wall collapsed.

Illustration for pan (part)

More examples

Ils ont réparé un pan du mur.

They repaired a section of the wall.

Core concept

One broad piece or surface of a larger structure, extending naturally from physical parts to abstract areas.

Common phrases

  • un pan de mur

    a section of wall

  • un pan de tissu

    a piece of fabric

Similar words

partie: A distinct section created by dividing something larger.
portion: An amount set aside from food or another substance.
élément: One component that makes up a larger whole.
morceau: A small piece cut or broken off from something.

Definition in French

Facette ou côté d'un ensemble, utilisé aussi bien pour des éléments matériels que pour des aspects abstraits.

Word origin

French inherited pan from Old French pan, which came from Latin pannus, cloth, as the word shifted from a piece of fabric to a part of a whole.

Usage tips

  • French commonly uses pan de plus a noun for a section of a wall, roof, or garment, as in un pan de mur.

Other meanings

  • sidenoun
  • piecenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word