élevage
/el.vaʒ/
The English word 'breeding' is translated into French as élevage.
élevage is used to refer to the managed process of breeding and raising livestock, animals or fish (aquaculture).
Meaning: act of inseminating by natural or artificial means (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun élevage is derived from the verb élever, which means to raise, breed or rear animals.
Which one should you use?
While élevage refers to the managed process of breeding and raising animals, the term reproduction refers to the biological act of producing offspring.
How do you pronounce it?
/el.vaʒ/
Did you know?
- While élevage describes the process of breeding animals, if you want to talk about the 'breed' of a specific dog or cow, you must use the word race.
- The term élevage is used in France to describe the professional breeding of snails, known as héliciculture, which is a significant part of the culinary industry.
- The word élevage is built from the verb élever, which also means 'to lift' or 'to raise' an object vertically. It shares a common root with the English word 'elevate'.
Examples in context
- L'une des occupations du fermier est l'élevage du bétail et les animaux sont minutieusement choisis selon leur race.Cattle breeding is one of the farmer's occupations and the animals are carefully selected according to their breed.This sentence shows how élevage is used in the context of cattle farming.Tatoeba #676924 by qdii, translation #676923 by qdii
- La sélection naturelle a des similitudes avec l'élevage de sélection, mais elle se produit d'elle-même et après une période bien plus longue.Natural selection has similarities to selective breeding, but it happens by itself and over a much longer period of time.This sentence compares élevage to natural selection.Tatoeba #4293894 by Khirthash, translation #3630700 by karloelkebekio
- Les Algériens, en majorité, sont contre la construction d'églises, l'élevage de porcs, la vente d'alcool et les boîtes de nuit en Algérie et même dans les pays qui les accueillent, en revanche, ils encouragent le viol, le sexisme et la médiocrité.The majority of Algerians are against the building of churches, the breeding of pigs, the sale of alcohol and nightclubs in Algeria and even in the countries that host them, on the other hand, they encourage rape, sexism and mediocrity.This sentence uses élevage in the context of breeding pigs.Tatoeba #9830795 by Igider, translation #9800884 by Igider
- Le domaine de l'élevage des chevaux est très développé en France.The horse breeding industry is well-developed in France.
- La reproduction des espèces en captivité est un sujet d'étude important.Breeding of species in captivity is an important field of study.
- Ils se sont lancés dans l'élevage familial de lapins nains.They started a small-scale breeding of dwarf rabbits.
- Cette association se spécialise dans la reproduction animale responsable.This organization specializes in responsible animal breeding.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are discussing a farm business idea.
- LucasL'élevage de chevaux demande beaucoup de travail.Horse breeding requires a lot of work.
- ChloéC'est vrai, mais c'est une passion.That's true, but it is a passion.
- LucasTu veux te lancer dans l'élevage ?Do you want to get into breeding?
- ChloéPeut-être, si j'ai assez de terrain.Maybe, if I have enough land.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry élevage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries élevage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
