French word

train

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁɛ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nountrain

Example

Le train est en retard.

The train is late.

Illustration for train (train)

More examples

Je monte dans le train maintenant.

I am getting on the train now.

Core concept

Several passenger or freight cars joined into one moving unit on rails.

Common phrases

  • monter dans le train

    get on the train

  • descendre du train

    get off the train

Similar words

métro: An urban railway vehicle that runs underground or through tunnels.
bus: A large road vehicle that carries passengers between stops.
tramway: A railway vehicle that runs on tracks along city streets.

Definition in French

Ensemble de voitures ou de wagons reliés qui circulent sur des rails pour transporter des personnes ou des marchandises.

Word origin

The French noun developed from train, a word for a procession or sequence, linked to traîner and the Latin root trahere, 'to pull'.

Usage tips

  • Être en train de means 'to be in the process of' doing something and is unrelated to a railway train.

Word lists with this word