French word

poème

Pronunciation

IPA/poɛm/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpoem

Example

Ce poème est court mais beau.

This poem is short but beautiful.

Illustration for poème (poem)

More examples

Après le dîner, il a lu un poème.

After dinner, he read a poem.

Core concept

A carefully shaped cluster of words where sound, rhythm, and imagery create an emotional scene.

Common phrases

  • lire un poème

    read a poem

  • écrire un poème

    write a poem

  • réciter un poème

    recite a poem

Similar words

poésie: A literary form that expresses beauty and feeling through language.
strophe: A short group of lines within a poem.
paroles: Written words intended for singing.
chanson: A piece of music performed with singing.

Definition in French

Texte artistique qui exprime une émotion ou une image, souvent en vers et caractérisé par le rythme et les images poétiques.

Word origin

French poème was borrowed through Latin poema from Greek poiēma, a noun formed from poiein, meaning to make.

Usage tips

  • The final e in poème is pronounced, giving two syllables, approximately /pɔ.ɛm/, rather than the English pronunciation of poem.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word