French word

patrie

Pronunciation

IPA/patʁi/

Meaning

  • feminine nounhomeland

Example

Elle aime sa patrie plus que tout.

She loves her homeland more than anything.

Illustration for patrie (homeland)

More examples

Il est prêt à servir la patrie.

He is ready to serve the homeland.

Core concept

A country held as a common home through inherited place, culture, and memory.

Common phrases

  • la patrie

    the homeland

  • servir la patrie

    serve the homeland

  • l'amour de la patrie

    love of the homeland

Similar words

pays: A general term for a country or its territory.
terre natale: The land where a person was born or raised.

Definition in French

Pays auquel on se sent attaché par la naissance, la culture ou l'histoire, et pour lequel on éprouve un sentiment d'appartenance collective.

Word origin

The French noun patrie developed from Old French patrie, borrowed from Latin patria "fatherland," which is related to pater "father."

Usage tips

  • Patrie often has a formal or political tone, while pays or pays natal is usually more neutral in everyday reference.

Opposites

Related words

  • patriotepatriotnoun
  • patriotismepatriotismnoun
  • patriotiquepatrioticadjective

Word lists with this word