French word

trottoir

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁotwaʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpavement

Example

Je marche sur le trottoir.

I am walking on the pavement.

Illustration for trottoir (pavement)

More examples

Les enfants jouent près du trottoir.

The children are playing near the sidewalk.

Core concept

A paved strip beside a road keeps pedestrian traffic separate from vehicles.

Common phrases

  • sur le trottoir

    on the sidewalk

  • au bord du trottoir

    at the edge of the sidewalk

Similar words

passage piéton: A marked part of a road for people to cross.
chaussée: The part of a road used by motor vehicles.
piste cyclable: A dedicated path for bicycles.
bordure: The raised edge separating a sidewalk from the roadway.

Definition in French

Ruban pavé ou dallé le long d'une voie, destiné à la circulation des piétons.

Word origin

French trottoir derives from trotter, "to trot," with the suffix -oir for a place or instrument.

Usage tips

  • Trottoir is masculine, so standard forms include le trottoir and sur le trottoir.

Opposites

Word lists with this word