grotte
/ɡʁɔt/feminine
The English word "cave" is translated into French as grotte.
grotte refers to a large, naturally occurring cavity formed underground.
Meaning: large, naturally occurring cavity formed underground (noun)
Which one should you use?
While grotte is the standard term for a cave, there are other words for specific types of underground spaces. caverne is used to describe much larger, more imposing underground systems or is used in literary contexts. antre refers specifically to a secluded or hidden cave, often carrying a darker or more mysterious connotation. If you are describing a deep, narrow pit or an abyss, use gouffre instead of grotte.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
grotte is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡʁɔt/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the French word cave to mean a cave. In French, cave is a false friend that actually means a cellar or a storage room, such as one used for wine.
Did you know?
- The Italian word 'grotta', from which grotte is borrowed, is the direct ancestor of the English word 'grotesque'. This refers to the strange, distorted decorations found in ancient grottoes.
- Historically, the word grotte was used in the Renaissance to describe artificial caves designed as ornamental garden features.
Examples in context
- J'ai trouvé la grotte.I found the cave.This sentence shows how to use the word grotte to express finding a cave.Tatoeba #12270573 by unetoilebrille, translation #12235281 by CK
- Tom vit dans une grotte.Tom lives in a cave.This sentence demonstrates the use of grotte when describing where someone lives.Tatoeba #6820811 by Rockaround, translation #6662175 by CK
- La grotte est facile d'accès.The cave is easy to get to.This sentence illustrates how to describe the accessibility of a grotte.Tatoeba #3440060 by sacredceltic, translation #3434020 by AlanF_US
- On s'en va visiter la grotte en fin de semaine!We're going to visit the cave over the weekend!
- J'ai visité une grotte magnifiqueI visited a magnificent cave
- Nous avons exploré des cavernes mystérieusesWe explored mysterious caves
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are hiking in the mountains.
- EmmaRegarde cette grotte là-bas.Look at that cave over there.
- GabrielElle est très profonde, Emma.It is very deep, Emma.
- EmmaEst-ce qu'on peut entrer dans la grotte ?Can we enter the cave?
- GabrielNon, c'est trop dangereux.No, it is too dangerous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cave” translations and entries grotte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries grotte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
