Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| campagne | /kɑ̃.paɲ/ | feminine |
| paysage | /pɛ.i.zaʒ/ /pe.i.zaʒ/ |
masculine |
campagne is a common and neutral term for the countryside, referring to the area outside of towns and cities. If you want to emphasize the rural aspect, you can use région rurale. To refer to remote or isolated areas, you might use contrées reculées, while la campagne profonde is used to describe the more remote or authentic parts of the countryside.
Which one should you use?
While campagne refers to the countryside as a geographic area or region, paysage refers specifically to a landscape or a view.
How does it change in a sentence?
campagne is a feminine noun, which means it requires feminine articles such as la or une. When you want to say that you are 'in the countryside', you should use the prepositional phrase à la campagne.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɑ̃.paɲ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that campagne can mean both 'countryside' and 'campaign' (such as a political or military campaign) depending on the context.
Did you know?
- In French, the term le terroir is often used when discussing the countryside to describe how the specific soil and climate give a unique taste to local wine and cheese.
- The word campagne is a linguistic twin to the word 'Champagne'. Although they sound similar, they actually share a common ancestor in the Latin word 'campus', meaning 'field'.
- While campagne refers to the rural area, the word pays can describe a specific small region with its own distinct local culture and dialect, rather than just a whole 'country'.
Examples in context
- J'étais à la campagne.I was in the countryside.This sentence shows how to use campagne to say one was in the countryside.Tatoeba #5239945 by martin9, translation #6825623 by Eccles17
- C'est joli la campagne.The countryside is pretty.This sentence uses campagne to describe the countryside as being pretty.Tatoeba #6131763 by Blabla, translation #6133853 by Blabla
- Je veux voir la campagne.I want to see the countryside.This sentence uses campagne to express a desire to see the countryside.Tatoeba #1121058 by sacredceltic, translation #1120830 by cntrational
- J'ai passé mes vacances à la campagne.I spent my vacation in the countryside.
- Sa maison se trouve dans une région rurale.His/her house is located in a rural area.
- Je préfère la campagne profonde aux zones plus urbanisées.I prefer the deep countryside over more urbanized areas.
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are discussing their holiday plans.
- LéaTu veux aller à la mer, Hugo ?Do you want to go to the sea, Hugo?
- HugoNon, je préfère la campagne.No, I prefer the countryside.
- LéaC'est vrai, c'est plus reposant.It's true, it is more relaxing.
- HugoOui, j'adore l'air pur de la campagne.Yes, I love the fresh air of the countryside.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “countryside” translations and entries campagne, paysage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries campagne, paysage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
