French Conversation · Level 37
74 words
French word
paon
Pronunciation
IPA/pɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounpeacock
Example
Il y a un paon dans le jardin.
There is a peacock in the garden.
More examples
Il se pavane comme un paon quand il est content.
He struts like a peacock when he's happy.
Core concept
A magnificent bird spreading its patterned tail becomes a person who makes an equally conspicuous display.
Common phrases
se pavaner comme un paon
strut like a peacock
un paon en parade
a peacock displaying its feathers
les couleurs du paon
the colors of a peacock
Similar words
oiseau: An animal with feathers and wings that usually flies.
Definition in French
Grand oiseau au plumage remarquable; le terme s'emploie aussi au figuré pour désigner une personne qui aime se montrer.
Word origin
French paon comes through Old French from Latin pavo, genitive pavonis, the name of the peacock.
Usage tips
- Paon is pronounced with a nasal vowel, roughly like French pan, not like the English word peon.