dans un pays
The phrase "in a country" is translated into French as dans un pays.
Located within the borders of a specific nation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dans un pays is composed of the preposition dans (in), the indefinite article un (a/an) and the noun pays (country).
Did you know?
- The word pays is a cognate of the English word 'pagan'. Both derive from the Latin pāgus, referring to the rural districts where traditional beliefs persisted.
- While pays means 'country', its Latin root pāgus actually referred to a specific rural district or countryside rather than a sovereign nation.
- While pays means 'country', the French word for the 'countryside' is la campagne. Using pays to mean nature or rural areas is rare in modern standard French.
Examples in context
- Sami vit dans un pays plein de musulmans.Sami lives in a country full of Muslims.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe a person living in a specific type of country using dans un pays.Tatoeba #9829960 by Micsmithel, translation #7317345 by OsoHombre
- Comment vit-on dans un pays ou ne règne aucune liberté de la presse ?How does one live in a country where there is no freedom of the press?This sentence demonstrates how to use dans un pays when asking a question about living conditions.Tatoeba #451732 by sacredceltic, translation #1726011 by belgavox
- Je ne veux pas vivre dans un pays qui ne veut pas défendre mes droits.I don't want to live in a country that doesn't want to defend my rights.This sentence shows how to use dans un pays to express a preference regarding where one lives.Tatoeba #8314941 by Aiji, translation #877902 by CM
- Je vis dans un pays francophone.I live in a French-speaking country.
- Il travaille dans un pays étranger.He works in a foreign country.
- Cette stratégie fonctionne bien au sein d'un pays développé.This strategy works well in a developed country.
- Il est parti en pays éloigné.He went to a distant country.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are discussing travel and living abroad.
- ChloéEst-ce qu'il est facile de voyager dans un pays étranger ?Is it easy to travel in a foreign country?
- HugoOui, surtout si l'on est dans un pays touristique.Yes, especially if one is in a touristy country.
- ChloéJe voudrais vivre dans un pays très calme.I would like to live in a very calm country.
- HugoTu trouveras sûrement ton bonheur, Chloé.You will surely find your happiness, Chloé.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dans, pays, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
