belles créatures
The English phrase "beautiful creatures" is translated into French as belles créatures.
This phrase is used to describe living beings that are physically attractive or pleasing to look at.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of belles, which is the feminine plural form of the adjective beau (beautiful) and créatures, which is the feminine plural form of the noun créature (creature).
Which one should you use?
Because créature is a feminine noun, the adjective belle must take the feminine form, even if the creatures being referred to are male.
How does it change in a sentence?
While créatures is used, French speakers often use beaux êtres (beautiful beings) to refer to living things in a more philosophical or biological sense.
Did you know?
- While 'creature' in English often feels slightly dehumanizing, in older French poetic traditions, calling a person a créature was a way to emphasize their divine or natural essence.
- In French, calling someone a créature can sometimes carry a cold or dehumanizing tone, suggesting the person is a specimen or an object rather than a human being.
- The word belle is used in the phrase la Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast), where it functions as a noun meaning 'the beautiful woman'.
Examples in context
- Les papillons sont de belles créatures.Butterflies are beautiful creatures.
- Ce sont de belles créatures marines.They are beautiful marine creatures.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are visiting an aquarium.
- LéaRegarde ces poissons, ce sont de belles créatures.Look at these fish, they are beautiful creatures.
- HugoOui, les couleurs sont incroyables, Léa.Yes, the colors are incredible, Léa.
- LéaOn a de la chance de les voir.We are lucky to see them.
- HugoC'est vrai, Hugo est impressionné.It's true, Hugo is impressed.
