bouteille d'eau
A bottle of water in French is bouteille d'eau.
This phrase refers to a container filled with water for drinking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bouteille (bottle), de (of) and eau (water), where de elides to d' before the vowel in eau.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, add an 's' to bouteille to form bouteilles d'eau, but do not change eau.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often incorrectly say bouteille de eau by forgetting to elide the 'e' in de before the vowel in eau. Instead, use bouteille d'eau.
Did you know?
- French law requires restaurants to provide une carafe d'eau (tap water) for free to any customer who asks for it.
- The word bouteille has its roots in the Late Latin word butticula, which actually described a small cask or barrel rather than a modern bottle.
- If you ask for 'une bouteille d'eau' in a formal setting, you may be asked to specify 'plate' or 'gazeuse'. This refers to 'eau plate' (still water) or 'eau gazeuse' (sparkling water).
Examples in context
- Je voudrais une bouteille d'eau.I'd like a bottle of water.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to have a bouteille d'eau.Tatoeba #8405324 by Aiji, translation #3619556 by CK
- Tom tendit une bouteille d'eau à Mary.Tom handed Mary a bottle of water.This sentence is useful for describing the action of handing a bouteille d'eau to someone.Tatoeba #5382887 by Aiji, translation #5301587 by CK
- La bouteille d'eau est dans le réfrigérateur.The bottle of water is in the fridge.This sentence is useful for stating the location of a bouteille d'eau.Tatoeba #5528150 by nimfeo, translation #5529569 by mailohilohi
- Vous avez une bouteille d'eau?Do you have a bottle of water?
- Une bouteille de Perrier, s'il vous plaîtA bottle of Perrier, please
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are at a restaurant.
- ChloéGabriel, est-ce que tu veux une bouteille d'eau ?Gabriel, do you want a bottle of water?
- GabrielOui, s'il te plaît, Chloé.Yes, please, Chloé.
- ChloéD'accord, je vais la commander.Okay, I will order it.
- GabrielMerci beaucoup, tu es très gentille.Thank you very much, you are very kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bouteille, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
