allée de jardin
The English phrase "garden path" is translated into French as allée de jardin.
The term refers specifically to a path or alleyway located within a garden.
Meaning: path in a garden (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of allée (path or alleyway) and de jardin (of garden).
How does it change in a sentence?
When forming the plural allées de jardin (garden paths), only the noun allée takes an s.
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'garden path', which is often used in the idiom 'led down the garden path' to mean deceived, allée de jardin has no such idiomatic meaning of trickery in French.
- The French word allée comes from the verb aller, meaning 'to go'. It literally describes a place where one is meant to go or walk.
- While allée means 'path' in a garden, it is also the standard word for the 'aisle' in a church or a supermarket.
Examples in context
- L'allée de jardin est très longue.The garden path is very long.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are discussing their landscaping plans.
- GabrielOù veux-tu placer l'allée de jardin ?Where do you want to place the garden path?
- ChloéJe préfère l'allée de jardin près des roses.I prefer the garden path near the roses.
- GabrielC'est une bonne idée pour Chloé.That is a good idea for Chloé.
- ChloéMerci Gabriel, ce sera magnifique !Thank you Gabriel, it will be magnificent!
