French Conversation · Level 154
30 words
French word
parterre
Pronunciation
IPA/paʁtɛʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounflower bed
Example
Il y a un parterre de fleurs devant la maison.
There is a flower bed in front of the house.
More examples
Ils ont aménagé un parterre de fleurs près de l'entrée.
They laid out a flower bed near the entrance.
Core concept
A flat area laid out on the ground, either for flowers or for spectators.
Common phrases
un parterre de fleurs
flower bed
Similar words
jardin: A fairly large area around a home or in a park for growing flowers and trees.
parc: A spacious public green area designed for walks and play.
pelouse: An area of closely mown grass suitable for walking or sitting.
Definition in French
Surface de terre plantée de fleurs; par extension, partie d'une salle de spectacle au niveau du sol occupée par les spectateurs.
Word origin
Parterre comes from the Old French phrase par terre, meaning on the ground, and later named a formal flower bed and then a ground-level theater seating area.
Usage tips
- Parterre is masculine, so the usual article is un parterre, as in un parterre de fleurs.
Other meanings
- stallsnoun
- orchestra seatsnoun