bateau de croisière
The English phrase "cruise ship" is translated into French as bateau de croisière.
Meaning: passenger ship (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bateau (boat), de (of) and croisière (cruise).
Which one should you use?
While bateau de croisière is a common term, paquebot de croisière is often used specifically for much larger, ocean-going cruise ships.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term paquebot de croisière may be used for "cruise ship".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, only the word bateau changes to bateaux. The word croisière remains singular because it functions as a descriptor of the type of boat.
Did you know?
- In French, the term paquebot is derived from the English word 'packet boat', which originally described ships carrying mail packets.
- Before bateau became the standard word for any boat, the French used the word nef, which is a direct relative of the Latin 'navis'.
- Despite the English 'boat' and French bateau sounding similar, bateau evolved via an Anglo-Norman influence and a Latin diminutive suffix.
Examples in context
- Le bateau de croisière est en train de couler.The cruise ship is sinking.This sentence is useful for describing a situation where the bateau de croisière is sinking.Tatoeba #5800063 by Toynop, translation #5790292 by Eccles17
- Je vais prendre des vacances sur un bateau de croisière cet étéI'm going on vacation on a cruise ship this summer
- Le navire de croisière offrait de nombreuses activités luxueusesThe cruise ship offered many luxurious activities
- On a loué un paquebot pour notre croisièreWe rented a cruise ship for our cruise
- Ce bateau de croisière est immense.This cruise ship is huge.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are looking at a travel brochure.
- LéaRegarde ce beau bateau de croisière !Look at this beautiful cruise ship!
- LucasIl est magnifique, Léa.It is magnificent, Léa.
- LéaOn part quand ?When are we leaving?
- LucasLe mois prochain.Next month.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bateau, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
