magasin de vélos
The English phrase 'bike shop' is translated into French as magasin de vélos.
The phrase refers to a store that sells bicycles and related accessories.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of magasin (shop), de (of) and vélos (bicycles).
Which one should you use?
You can use boutique de vélos to describe a smaller, more specialized or higher-end bike shop.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, you may also use the terms magasin de bicyclettes or boutique de vélos to refer to a bike shop.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the default form uses the plural vélos, it is grammatically acceptable to use the singular vélo in the phrase magasin de vélo to refer to the type of business rather than a collection of specific bicycles.
Did you know?
- The word magasin comes from the Arabic word maḵāzin, meaning 'storerooms', which is why it is a linguistic relative of the English word 'magazine'.
- The common word vélo is actually a shortening of vélocipède, a term still found in French legal and administrative documents.
- In Quebec, you are more likely to hear the word bicyclette than in France, where vélo has become the dominant term.
Examples in context
- Où est le magasin de vélos le plus proche?Where is the nearest bike shop?
- Tu connais un bon vélociste dans le coin?Do you know a good bike shop around here?
- Je cherche un magasin de vélos.I am looking for a bike shop.
- Il y a un nouveau magasin de vélos ici.There is a new bike shop here.
- Le magasin de vélos est fermé le lundi.The bike shop is closed on Mondays.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are walking in the city.
- ChloéHugo, est-ce qu'il y a un magasin de vélos près d'ici ?Hugo, is there a bike shop near here?
- HugoOui, il y en a un juste au coin de la rue.Yes, there is one right around the corner.
- ChloéC'est parfait pour mon nouveau casque.That is perfect for my new helmet.
- HugoOn peut y aller maintenant si tu veux.We can go there now if you want.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, magasin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
