liaison
/ljɛ.zɔ̃/feminine
The English word 'affair' (meaning an adulterous relationship) is translated into French as liaison. Wiktionary also lists aventure.
Meaning: adulterous relationship (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| liaison | /ljɛ.zɔ̃/ /lje.zɔ̃/ |
feminine |
| aventure | /a.vɑ̃.tyʁ/ | feminine |
In French, liaison is used to refer to a romantic involvement or a secretive affair. To express the action of having an affair, you use the phrase avoir une liaison.
Which one should you use?
While liaison is the standard term for a romantic involvement, aventure is used informally to describe a more casual, short-term sexual encounter or a 'fling'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both liaison and aventure are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ljɛ.zɔ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the French word affaire to mean a romantic affair. This is a common mistake for English speakers. In French, affaire actually refers to a business matter, a legal case or a scandal.
Did you know?
- In French, the word liaison is used as a culinary term to describe the process of thickening a sauce by binding it with a substance like egg yolks.
- In French, liaison is also a technical linguistic term used to describe the way certain silent consonants are pronounced when they meet a following vowel.
- While liaison describes a secretive relationship, it also refers to the official coordination between two military units or governments.
Examples in context
- Il a une liaison.He's having an affair.This sentence shows how to use liaison to state that someone is having an affair.Tatoeba #1892159 by sacredceltic, translation #1890707 by Spamster
- As-tu une liaison ?Are you having an affair?This sentence uses liaison to ask if someone is having an affair.Tatoeba #1892163 by sacredceltic, translation #1890706 by Spamster
- A-t-il une liaison ?Is he having an affair?This sentence uses liaison to ask if a man is having an affair.Tatoeba #1892167 by sacredceltic, translation #1890703 by Spamster
- L’affaire est entre les mains des avocats.The affair is in the hands of the lawyers.
- Elle a eu une aventure amoureuse avec lui.She had a romantic affair with him.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are discussing a rumor at a café.
- NathanEst-ce que tu crois à cette histoire de liaison ?Do you believe this story about an affair?
- LéaJe ne pense pas que ce soit vrai.I don't think it is true.
- NathanPourtant, tout le monde parle de sa liaison.Yet, everyone is talking about her affair.
- LéaElle semble très désemparée par la situation.She seems very distraught by the situation.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “affair” translations and entries liaison, aventure, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
