appartenance
/a.paʁ.tə.nɑ̃s/
In French, the word for belonging is appartenance.
Meaning: something physical that is owned (noun)
Which one should you use?
While appartenance describes the concept of belonging, if you want to refer to physical possessions or personal property (such as 'my belongings'), French speakers typically use biens or effets personnels instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
Appartenance is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.paʁ.tə.nɑ̃s/ (4 syllables)
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use appartenance to refer to physical objects that someone owns. Use biens or effets personnels for those objects.
Did you know?
- The term effets personnels used for belongings comes from the word effet, which in this context refers to a 'result' or 'outcome' of one's activity, specifically the things one has acquired.
- While 'belongings' in English refers to objects, the French sentiment d'appartenance is a key term in modern HR and management to measure if an employee feels an emotional bond with their company.
- In legal contexts, the word biens for belongings can be divided into biens meubles for things that can be moved and biens immeubles for property that cannot, such as land or buildings.
Examples in context
- L'appartenance à cette organisation est un honneur.Belonging to this organization is an honor.
- Ce pays fait partie de l'Union Européenne.This country belongs to the European Union.
- Je suis membre de ce club depuis cinq ans.I have been a member of this club for five years.
- Chacun a sa place dans cette équipe.Everyone has their place in this team.
- Il fait partie de notre groupe d'amis.He belongs to our group of friends.
- Ce livre appartient à ma sœur.This book belongs to my sister.
- Tu es dans la bonne équipe.You are in the right team.
- Nous nous appartenons l'un à l'autre.We belong to each other.
- Je suis de Marseille, j'en suis fière.I am from Marseille, I am proud of it.
- J'ai fait mon nid dans cette ville.I have made my home in this city.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are cleaning a shared room.
- EmmaEst-ce que cette appartenance est à toi, Gabriel ?Is this belonging yours, Gabriel?
- GabrielNon, ce n'est pas à moi.No, it is not mine.
- EmmaJe vais mettre cette appartenance dans la boîte.I will put this belonging in the box.
- GabrielC'est une bonne idée, Emma.That is a good idea, Emma.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry appartenance, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
