Alpes
/alp/
Alpes is the French name for the Alps, the high mountain range located in Europe.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the name of this mountain range is almost always used with the definite article les, resulting in les Alpes (the Alps).
How do you pronounce it?
/alp/
Did you know?
- The Latin root Alp is believed by some linguists to stem from a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'white', which might explain why the mountains are often topped with snow.
- While alpin describes the mountains, the French word alpage refers specifically to the high-altitude summer pastures where cattle are grazed.
- The phrase alpinisme refers not just to the act of climbing les Alpes but to a specific, highly codified technical discipline with its own rigorous certifications in France.
Examples in context
- Les Alpes sont magnifiques en hiver.The Alps are magnificent in winter.
- Nous allons skier dans les Alpes.We are going skiing in the Alps.
- Il y a de hauts sommets dans les Alpes.There are high peaks in the Alps.
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a vacation.
- ManonTu veux partir dans les Alpes cet été ?Do you want to go to the Alps this summer?
- LucasOui, j'adore la randonnée dans les Alpes.Yes, I love hiking in the Alps.
- ManonLucas, tu pourrais préparer l'itinéraire ?Lucas, could you prepare the itinerary?
- LucasD'accord, je m'en occupe.Okay, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Alpes, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Alpes, CC BY-SA 4.0.
