bas
/ba/masculine
The English phrase 'bottom' can be translated into French as bas. Wiktionary also lists fond and dessous.
Meaning: lowest part (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bas | /ba/ /bɑ/ |
masculine |
| fond | /fɔ̃/ | masculine |
| dessous | /də.su/ | masculine |
fond is used for the bottom of a container, such as a glass or a bottle and is also used for the metaphorical 'rock bottom' of a situation. dessous refers to the underside or the part that is underneath something else.
Which one should you use?
Use fond when referring to the bottom of a container (like a glass or a box) or the metaphorical 'rock bottom' of a situation. In contrast, use dessous when referring to the underside or the part that is underneath something else. When talking specifically about the bottom of a liquid-filled container, you should use fond rather than bas.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms, fond, bas and dessous, are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ba/
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase cul drier or boire cul sec refers to drinking a glass to the 'bottom' in one go, but the word cul refers to the anatomical bottom rather than the 'fond' of the glass.
- The French word dessous is used in the phrase dessous-de-table, which literally means 'under-the-table' but describes a secret bribe or an illegal payment.
- The French word fond is a linguistic sibling to the English word 'fund', as both share a common Latin ancestor.
Examples in context
- J'ai touché le fond.I touched the bottom.This sentence is useful for expressing that you touched the bottom using fond.Tatoeba #5552276 by sacredceltic, translation #3382716 by Hybrid
- Tom a touché le fond.Tom hit rock bottom.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone hit rock bottom using fond.Tatoeba #5707607 by Aiji, translation #1555511 by Spamster
- Tu as touché le fond.You've reached the bottom.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone has reached the bottom using fond.Tatoeba #11045854 by Aiji, translation #2926786 by AlanF_US
- La bouteille est vide jusqu'au fond.The bottle is empty down to the bottom.
- Assurez-vous de bien placer la base de la sculpture sur le socle.Make sure to place the sculpture's bottom properly on the base.
- L'extraction de la substance se fait à partir de l'extrémité inférieure du récipient.The substance is extracted from the bottom end of the container.
- Je me suis assis à l'arrière de la salle.I sat at the back of the room.
- Regarde son joli postérieur !Look at his/her lovely bottom!
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are organizing a bookshelf.
- NathanMets ce livre tout en bas.Put this book at the very bottom.
- ChloéIl n'y a plus de place en bas.There is no more room at the bottom.
- NathanRegarde bien le bas de l'étagère.Look closely at the bottom of the shelf.
- ChloéAh oui, je le vois maintenant.Ah yes, I see it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bottom” translations and entries bas, fond, dessous, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bas, dessous, fond, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
