French Conversation · Level 6
87 words
French word
terre
Pronunciation
IPA/tɛʁ/
Meaning
- feminine nounground
Example
La balle est tombée par terre.
The ball fell to the ground.
More examples
Les chaussures sont couvertes de terre.
The shoes are covered in dirt.
Core concept
A continuous earthly surface supports people and objects, with the same concept widening to the world they inhabit.
Common phrases
tomber par terre
fall to the ground
s'asseoir par terre
sit on the ground
planter dans la terre
plant in the ground
Similar words
sol: A ground or floor surface for walking on or setting things down.
terrain: An outdoor plot of ground used for sports, activities, or building.
Definition in French
Surface solide sur laquelle on marche ou où reposent des objets; s'emploie aussi pour désigner la planète habitée.
Word origin
The French noun terre is an inherited form from Latin terra through Old French, and its meaning remained centered on earth or land.
Usage tips
- Par terre commonly means 'on the floor or ground' and normally appears without an article after par.