French Conversation · Level 76
59 words
French word
sonnette
Pronunciation
IPA/sonɛt/
Meaning
- feminine noundoorbell
Example
Il a appuyé sur la sonnette.
He pressed the doorbell.
More examples
La sonnette a retenti.
The doorbell sounded.
Core concept
A compact signalling bell fixed to a doorway or handled like a small bell.
Common phrases
appuyer sur la sonnette
press the doorbell
sonnette d'entrée
doorbell at the entrance
Similar words
sonnerie: A ringtone or alert heard from a phone or alarm clock.
cloche: A large metal bell used at a church or in a public square.
bip: A brief, sharp beep from an electronic device.
alarme: An alarm that warns of danger or fire.
Definition in French
Petit dispositif en forme de cloche que l'on actionne pour avertir quelqu'un de sa présence, souvent fixé à la porte.
Word origin
The noun sonnette developed from sonner by adding -ette, a suffix often used for small objects, and sonner is ultimately related to Latin sonus.
Usage tips
- The common collocation is appuyer sur la sonnette, using sur rather than the English-influenced on or at.