choses courantes
The English phrase "common things" is translated into French as choses courantes.
choses courantes is used to describe items or occurrences that happen often or are found in many places.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of choses, meaning "things" and courantes, meaning "common" or "current".
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, adjectives must agree with the noun they modify. Because choses is a feminine plural noun, the adjective courantes must also be in the feminine plural form. If you wish to express the singular "common thing", you should use the singular form chose courante.
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase au courant means to be up-to-date or informed about something. While it shares the same root as courantes, it functions as a fixed expression for being 'in the loop'.
- The term courant is used to describe the flow of electricity. If a house has a power outage, a French speaker might say il n'y a plus de courant.
- French has a specific legal term chose that refers to any tangible object of property. This legal distinction separates choses from personnes in the French Civil Code.
Examples in context
- Ce sont des choses courantes dans ce quartier.These are common things in this neighborhood.
- Ce sont des choses courantes ici.These are common things here.
- Il évite les choses courantes et banales.He avoids common and banal things.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are discussing art at a museum.
- LucasCette peinture représente des choses courantes.This painting represents common things.
- ChloéC'est vrai, mais elle est très belle.It is true, but it is very beautiful.
- LucasTu préfères les choses courantes ou l'étrange ?Do you prefer common things or the strange?
- ChloéJ'aime beaucoup l'étrange, Lucas.I like the strange a lot, Lucas.
