French word

trêve

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁɛv/

Meaning

  • feminine nountruce

Example

Après des mois de disputes, ils ont décidé d'une trêve.

After months of disputes, they decided on a truce.

Illustration for trêve (truce)

More examples

Faisons la trêve pour aujourd'hui.

Let's call a truce for today.

Core concept

A break in a conflict gives both sides room to calm down, talk, or recover.

Common phrases

  • faire la trêve

    call a truce

  • rompre la trêve

    break the truce

  • une trêve de silence

    a break in the silence

Similar words

pause: A brief stop in work or conversation.
repos: Time spent resting to restore physical or mental energy.

Definition in French

Accord ou état provisoire par lequel deux groupes cessent leurs hostilités afin de permettre des négociations ou un répit.

Word origin

The French noun trêve developed from Old French treve, borrowed from medieval Latin treuga, which referred to a pause in hostilities.

Usage tips

  • The fixed phrase trêve de plaisanterie means that joking stops, and it introduces a serious point rather than a military pause.

Other meanings

  • lullnoun
  • respitenoun

Opposites

  • guerrewarnoun
  • hostilitéshostilitiesnoun

Word lists with this word