prairies
The English phrase grasslands is translated into French as prairies.
Which one should you use?
While prairies can be used to mean grasslands in a general sense, in a North American context, it specifically refers to the temperate grasslands of the Great Plains.
How does it change in a sentence?
prairies is the plural form of the feminine noun la prairie, which means the grassland.
Did you know?
- While prairies describes the North American Great Plains in English, a French speaker might use les grandes plaines to describe the same geography to avoid confusion with local European meadows.
- In Canada, the term les Prairies is a proper noun used to refer to the specific provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
- If you are looking for a wild, uncultivated grassland in France, you might hear the word lande, which describes a specific type of heathland that is ecologically different from a prairie.
Examples in context
- Des prairies verdoyantes s'étendaient à perte de vue.Lush green grasslands extended as far as the eye could see.
- Les prairies sont très vertes ici.The grasslands are very green here.
- Les chevaux courent dans les prairies.The horses run in the grasslands.
- Nous aimons marcher dans les prairies.We love walking in the grasslands.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are hiking in a rural area.
- GabrielRegarde ces magnifiques prairies, Emma.Look at these beautiful grasslands, Emma.
- EmmaOui, c'est un paysage incroyable.Yes, it is an incredible landscape.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu vois les fleurs ?Do you see the flowers?
- EmmaOui, elles sont partout dans les prairies.Yes, they are everywhere in the grasslands.
