French word

porte

Pronunciation

IPA/pɔʁt/

Meaning

  • feminine noundoor

Example

Peux-tu fermer la porte, s'il te plaît ?

Could you please close the door?

Illustration for porte (door)

More examples

La porte est fermée à clé.

The door is locked.

Core concept

A movable barrier in an opening, controlling whether people can pass between spaces.

Common phrases

  • fermer la porte

    close the door

  • ouvrir la porte

    open the door

Similar words

poignée: A handle used to grip, pull, or turn a door or drawer.
clé: A small metal device inserted into a lock to open or close it.
serrure: A mechanism attached to a door for locking it with a key.
entrée: A doorway or passage providing access to a building or room.

Definition in French

Élément mobile fixé à une ouverture d'un mur ou d'une cloison, conçu pour s'ouvrir et se fermer afin de laisser ou empêcher le passage.

Word origin

French porte comes through Old French from Latin porta, meaning a gate, and the word developed into the modern term for a door.

Usage tips

  • Porte is feminine, so standard forms include une porte and la porte.

Related words

  • portièrecar doornoun
  • porte-monnaiewalletnoun
  • portillonsmall gatenoun

Word lists with this word