French Conversation · Level 20
90 words
French word
papillon
Pronunciation
IPA/papijɔ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounbutterfly
Example
Des papillons volent autour des fleurs.
Butterflies fly around the flowers.
More examples
Un papillon s'est posé sur ma main.
A butterfly settled on my hand.
Core concept
A colorful winged insect circling among flowers in a light, undulating path.
Common phrases
un papillon
a butterfly
un papillon coloré
a brightly colored butterfly
voir un papillon
to see a butterfly
Similar words
insecte: A small animal with six legs, belonging to the insect group.
chenille: A leaf-eating larva that grows, forms a pupa, and becomes an adult.
papillon de nuit: A usually nocturnal winged insect often drawn to lights.
Definition in French
Insecte volant au vol ondulé, souvent observé dans les jardins et associé aux fleurs.
Word origin
Papillon is an inherited French word from Latin papilio, transmitted through earlier French forms before reaching its present spelling.
Usage tips
- The expression avoir des papillons dans le ventre uses papillons figuratively for a feeling of nervous excitement or romantic anticipation.
Other meanings
- bow tienoun
Related words
- papillonnerflutterverb
- papillonnantflutteringadjective
- papillonnageficklenessnoun