harpe
/aʁp/feminine
The English word 'harp' is translated into French as harpe.
The word harpe refers to the musical instrument.
Meaning: musical instrument (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say that someone plays the harp, you must use the construction jouer de la rather than a direct object. In French, the verb jouer requires the preposition de when it is followed by a musical instrument.
How do you pronounce it?
/aʁp/
Did you know?
- While we think of a musical instrument, the word harpe may have originally shared its roots with words for a 'sickle' or a 'bird of prey' in Late Latin.
- French has a specialized term, harpe celtique, to distinguish the traditional folk instrument from the larger orchestral harpe.
Examples in context
- Marie joue de la harpe.Mary plays the harp.This sentence shows how to use harpe with the verb for playing an instrument.Tatoeba #6629628 by Blabla, translation #6685943 by Eccles17
- Puis-je jouer de la harpe ?Can I play the harp?This sentence demonstrates a request to play the harpe.Tatoeba #893449 by sacredceltic, translation #6812513 by Eccles17
- T'es-tu exercé à la harpe ce matin ?Did you practise the harp this morning?This sentence shows the use of harpe in the context of practicing the instrument.Tatoeba #10674105 by felix63, translation #1328805 by sundown
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are looking at a music shop window.
- LéaRegarde cette magnifique harpe !Look at that magnificent harp!
- HugoElle est vraiment impressionnante.It is truly impressive.
- LéaTu aimerais en jouer ?Would you like to play it?
- HugoPeut-être, mais c'est difficile.Maybe, but it's difficult.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “harp” translations and entries harpe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries harpe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
