French Conversation · Level 121
59 words
French word
rive
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁiv/
Meaning
- feminine nounbank
Example
Nous avons pique-niqué sur la rive.
We had a picnic on the bank.
More examples
On a pris des photos de la rive au coucher du soleil.
We took pictures of the shore at sunset.
Core concept
The land-water edge of a river or lake, seen as a place beside the water rather than in it.
Common phrases
la rive du lac
the lakeshore
la rive du fleuve
the riverbank
Similar words
bord: The outer edge or boundary of an object or place.
quai: An artificial waterside structure for boats and loading or unloading cargo.
plage: A broad sandy or pebbly shore, often used for leisure.
Definition in French
rive — bord d'un cours d'eau ou d'un lac, endroit où la terre touche l'eau et où l'on peut souvent se promener ou s'amarrer.
Word origin
French inherited rive from Old French rive, which developed from Latin ripa, a word for a riverbank or shore.
Usage tips
- Sur la rive means on the bank, while dans la rivière means in the river, so the preposition marks the location clearly.