French word

sous-sol

Pronunciation

IPA/susɔl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbasement

Example

Nous rangeons les vélos dans le sous-sol.

We store the bikes in the basement.

Illustration for sous-sol (basement)

More examples

Le parking est au sous-sol.

The parking lot is in the basement.

Core concept

A below-ground building level used as a practical back area for storage, parking, or machinery.

Common phrases

  • dans le sous-sol

    in the basement

  • au sous-sol

    in the basement

Similar words

cave: A small underground room for keeping wine or preserved food cool.
garage: An indoor space designed to house a car.
parking: An indoor or outdoor area designed for parking several cars.

Definition in French

Partie d'un bâtiment située sous le niveau du rez-de-chaussée, généralement accessible et utilisée pour le rangement, le stationnement ou des locaux techniques.

Word origin

The compound was built in French from sous 'under' and sol 'ground or floor'; sous continues Latin subtus and sol continues Latin solum.

Usage tips

  • Sous-sol is broader than cave: it can mean an entire basement, including parking or technical rooms, while cave often denotes a cellar or storage room.

Other meanings

  • undergroundnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word