mot composé
The English phrase "compound word" is translated into French as mot composé.
A word formed by joining two or more existing words together.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of mot (word) and composé (composed/compounded).
How does it change in a sentence?
The term is masculine, so it uses the masculine singular form composé rather than the feminine composée. The plural form is mots composés, where both the noun and the adjective take an s.
Did you know?
- The word mot in this phrase traces back to a Late Latin term for a 'muttered sound', meaning a linguistic unit once literally meant a 'mutter'.
- French speakers use mot not just for linguistic units, but also to describe a short note or a brief message left for someone.
- Some mots composés in French change meaning entirely when the order of the words is reversed, creating two distinct concepts from the same linguistic roots.
Examples in context
- C'est un mot composé.It is a compound word.
- Je cherche un mot composé dans le dictionnaire.I am looking for a compound word in the dictionary.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are studying linguistics at a library.
- NathanEst-ce que ce mot est un mot composé ?Is this word a compound word?
- ManonOui, Nathan, c'est un mot composé très courant.Yes, Nathan, it is a very common compound word.
- NathanJe ne comprends pas bien sa structure.I don't quite understand its structure.
- ManonRegarde, je peux t'aider avec ça.Look, I can help you with that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
