bernard-l'hermite
The English phrase hermit crab is translated into French as bernard-l'hermite.
The term is used to refer to the crustacean known in English as a hermit crab.
Meaning: crustacean (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The name bernard-l'hermite literally translates to 'Bernard the hermit'.
Did you know?
- The name refers to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century monk known for his ascetic life and solitude.
- While hermite refers to solitude, the name Bernard is derived from Germanic roots meaning 'brave as a bear', adding an unintended layer of strength to the image of the shy crab.
- French scientific texts often pivot from the whimsical bernard-l'hermite to the more technical pagure to avoid the personification of the species.
Examples in context
- Les enfants ont appris beaucoup de choses sur les pagures lors de leur sortie scolaire.The children learned a lot about hermit crabs during their school field trip.
- Les enfants ont découvert un petit crabe-ermite sur la plage aujourd'hui.The children found a little hermit crab on the beach today.
- En Bretagne, on adore explorer la plage pour y trouver des bouzeleurs.In Brittany, we love exploring the beach to find hermit crabs.
- Le bernard-l'hermite vit dans une coquille.The hermit crab lives in a shell.
- Regarde ce petit bernard-l'hermite sur le sable.Look at this little hermit crab on the sand.
- Un bernard-l'hermite s'est caché dans son abri.A hermit crab hid in its shelter.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking along a beach.
- LucasManon, regarde ce bernard-l'hermite !Manon, look at this hermit crab!
- ManonOh, il est vraiment mignon, Lucas.Oh, it is really cute, Lucas.
- LucasEst-ce qu'il change de coquille souvent ?Does he change shells often?
- ManonOui, quand il grandit.Yes, when he grows.
