French Conversation · Level 113
59 words
French word
ruelle
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁɥɛl/
Meaning
- feminine nounalley
Example
La boutique est au fond de la ruelle.
The shop is at the end of the alley.
More examples
On a pris une ruelle étroite pour éviter la circulation.
We took a narrow alley to avoid traffic.
Core concept
A tucked-away lane narrower than the streets around it and bordered by buildings.
Common phrases
une ruelle étroite
a narrow alley
la ruelle pavée
the cobblestone alley
prendre la ruelle
take the alley
Similar words
rue: A regular street wide enough for cars and pedestrians.
avenue: A broad, busy main road lined with trees or buildings.
impasse: A short road that ends without an exit.
passage: A narrow passage between or beneath buildings, sometimes covered.
Definition in French
Petite rue étroite, souvent piétonne, située entre des maisons ou des bâtiments.
Word origin
French created ruelle from rue by adding the diminutive suffix -elle, with Old French ruele attested as an earlier form.
Usage tips
- In location phrases, au fond de la ruelle means at the end of the lane, while dans la ruelle means in the lane.