belle ville
The English phrase "beautiful city" is translated into French as belle ville.
This phrase is used to describe a city that is visually attractive or pleasing to look at.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase belle ville, the adjective belle (beautiful) precedes the noun ville (city) because it is a short, frequently used adjective. Because ville is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine form belle rather than the masculine beau. To express the plural "beautiful cities", both the adjective and the noun must take an s to become belles villes.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not say beau ville. Because ville is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine adjective belle instead.
Did you know?
- While belle ville is general, Paris is famously called la Ville Lumière ('the City of Light'). This nickname originally referred to the city's early adoption of street lighting to curb crime.
- The term ville originates from the Latin word vīlla, which meant a 'country house'. Over time, the meaning shifted from a single estate to a cluster of homes and eventually to an entire city.
- French uses the word bourg for a traditional market town. While a belle ville is a beautiful city, a beau bourg implies a charming, historic small-town atmosphere.
Examples in context
- Quelle belle ville !What a beautiful city!This sentence is useful for practicing an exclamation about a beautiful city.Tatoeba #822359 by sacredceltic, translation #1460433 by piksea
- Rome est une belle ville.Rome is a beautiful city.This sentence is useful for stating that Rome is a beautiful city.Tatoeba #8628025 by Julien_PDC, translation #7129354 by Hybrid
- Damas est une belle ville.Damascus is a beautiful city.This sentence is useful for stating that Damascus is a beautiful city.Tatoeba #2555370 by Julien_PDC, translation #12435469 by Miktsoanit
- Paris est une ville magnifique.Paris is a beautiful city.
- Florence est une superbe cité italienne.Florence is a beautiful Italian city.
- New York est une splendide métropole.New York is a beautiful metropolis.
- Bordeaux est une ville magnifique, je suis tombé(e) sous son charme !Bordeaux is a beautiful city, I fell under its charm!
- Montréal est une superbe ville avec une diversité culturelle incroyable !Montréal is a beautiful city with incredible cultural diversity!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are looking at a postcard of Lyon.
- ManonLyon est une belle ville, n'est-ce pas ?Lyon is a beautiful city, isn't it?
- GabrielOui, c'est une très belle ville.Yes, it is a very beautiful city.
- ManonJ'aimerais visiter cette belle ville un jour.I would like to visit this beautiful city one day.
- GabrielTu devrais y aller cet été, Manon.You should go there this summer, Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ville, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
