seau d'eau
The English phrase "bucket of water" is translated into French as seau d'eau.
The phrase seau d'eau is used to describe a container shaped like a bucket that is filled with water. When used with an indefinite article, un seau d'eau is masculine.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of seau (bucket) and d'eau (of water), where d' is the elided form of de used before a vowel.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the phrase is seaux d'eau. In this plural construction, only the noun seau takes a plural marker.
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase jeter le seau does not exist as a common idiom for giving up, unlike the English 'kick the bucket'. To describe death euphemistically, French uses phrases like casser sa pipe or 'break one's pipe'.
- The word seau is a homophone of three entirely different words: sceau meaning 'seal', sot meaning 'fool', and saut meaning 'jump'.
- While seau describes a bucket, the expression un seau d'eau is often used in the phrase jeter un seau d'eau sur quelque chose, meaning to discourage an idea or kill the enthusiasm for a project.
Examples in context
- Tom vida le seau d'eau.Tom emptied the bucket of water.This sentence is useful for seeing the verb used with seau d'eau.Tatoeba #6734489 by GB3, translation #3454104 by CK
- As-tu vidé le seau d'eau ?Did you empty the bucket of water?This sentence shows a question using seau d'eau.Tatoeba #8313154 by Julien_PDC, translation #13807584 by tieguy
- Apportez-moi un seau d'eau.Bring me a bucket of water.This sentence demonstrates a request involving seau d'eau.Tatoeba #4463934 by nimfeo, translation #35475 by CK
- J'ai besoin d'un seau d'eau pour arroser les plantesI need a bucket of water to water the plants
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a garden while cleaning.
- HugoManon, peux-tu me donner ce seau d'eau ?Manon, can you give me this bucket of water?
- ManonOui, Hugo, le voici.Yes, Hugo, here it is.
- HugoMerci, c'est très lourd.Thanks, it is very heavy.
- ManonFais attention à ne pas le renverser.Be careful not to spill it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
