lecteur de cassettes
The English phrase 'cassette player' is lecteur de cassettes in French.
A lecteur de cassettes is a device capable of playing prerecorded cassette tapes. You can also refer to a cassette player as un appareil à cassette, which uses the masculine article un or as une radio cassette, which uses the feminine article une. Walkman can be used as a generic term for any portable cassette player.
Meaning: a device capable of playing prerecorded cassette tapes (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term lecteur de cassettes is composed of lecteur (reader/player) and de cassettes (of cassettes).
How does it change in a sentence?
While lecteur de cassettes (plural) is the standard way to refer to the device, using the singular lecteur de cassette is also grammatically acceptable in French.
Did you know?
- In French, a cassette player is often called a baladeur if it is portable. This term comes from the verb se balader, which means 'to stroll' or 'to wander'.
- When referring to the specific act of playing a tape, French speakers often use the verb passer instead of 'playing'. One might say passer une cassette rather than using a word for 'play' as in a game.
- The word lecteur in lecteur de cassettes is the same word used for a 'reader' of books or a 'lecturer' in a university. It stems from the Latin lēctōrem, meaning 'one who chooses' or 'one who reads'.
Examples in context
- Je recherche un appareil à cassette pour écouter mes vieilles cassettes musicales.I'm looking for a cassette player to listen to my old music tapes.
- J'ai acheté un lecteur de cassettes d'occasion pour revivre mes souvenirs d'enfance.I bought a used cassette player to relive my childhood memories.
- Je cherche un vieux lecteur de cassettes.I am looking for an old cassette player.
- Il a un lecteur de cassettes dans sa voiture.He has a cassette player in his car.
- Ce lecteur de cassettes ne fonctionne plus.This cassette player no longer works.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are looking through boxes in an attic.
- LucasRegarde, Manon, j'ai trouvé un lecteur de cassettes !Look, Manon, I found a cassette player!
- ManonC'est génial, mais as-tu des cassettes ?That's great, but do you have any cassettes?
- LucasOui, il y a quelques albums ici.Yes, there are a few albums here.
- ManonEssayons de les écouter ensemble.Let's try to listen to them together.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, lecteur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
