French Conversation · Level 7
87 words
French word
trou
Pronunciation
IPA/tʁu/
Meaning
- masculine nounhole
Example
Il y a un trou dans ma chaussure.
There is a hole in my shoe.
More examples
J'ai eu un trou de mémoire pendant l'examen.
I experienced a memory lapse during the exam.
Core concept
An empty space enclosed by surrounding material, with the same image extending to breaks in continuity and missing resources.
Common phrases
avoir un trou de mémoire
experience a memory lapse
trou de serrure
keyhole
trou noir
black hole
Similar words
ouverture: An opening in a space or surface that provides a connection elsewhere.
absence: The condition of not having something that should be present.
manque: A lack of something needed or of a sufficient quantity.
Definition in French
Un trou est un espace vide limité au sein d'un objet ou d'une surface ; par extension, il évoque une absence, une interruption ou une lacune dans un processus, un souvenir ou des ressources.
Word origin
French trou comes from the Old French noun trou and preserves its basic meaning of an opening or hollow while using it figuratively for absences and interruptions.
Usage tips
- The spelling trou is pronounced /tʁu/, with a French r and the vowel sound of English 'too'.