French Conversation · Level 16
89 words
French word
volcan
Pronunciation
IPA/vɔlkɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounvolcano
Example
On voit le volcan depuis la plage.
The volcano can be seen from the beach.
More examples
L'éruption du volcan a surpris les habitants.
The volcano's eruption surprised the residents.
Core concept
A mountain built from layers of lava, ash, and gas expelled through a central vent.
Common phrases
l'éruption du volcan
the volcano's eruption
un volcan actif
an active volcano
la lave du volcan
the volcano's lava
Similar words
lave: Hot molten rock that reaches the surface during an eruption.
montagne: A large area of land rising above its surroundings.
cratère: A hollow in the ground formed by an eruption or collapse.
magma: Molten rock deep underground that can fuel an eruption.
Definition in French
Édifice naturel formé par l'accumulation de matériaux expulsés par une cheminée magmatique, susceptible d'entrer en éruption et d'émettre lave, cendres et gaz.
Word origin
French volcan ultimately comes from Latin Vulcanus, the name of the Roman god of fire, through medieval forms.
Usage tips
- Volcan is masculine, so the usual form is un volcan, while la lave refers to the lava itself.
Related words
- volcaniquevolcanicadjective
- volcanismevolcanismnoun
- volcanologuevolcanologistnoun