à genoux
The English phrase 'kneeling' is translated into French as à genoux.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition à (at/on) and the plural noun genoux (knees).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase à genoux functions as an adverbial phrase of manner and does not change its form based on the gender or number of the subject.
Did you know?
- The plural form genoux is used in à genoux even if a person is technically balancing on only one knee, as it refers to the posture in general.
- In French, the phrase mettre à genoux can be used figuratively to mean 'to defeat' or 'to crush' an opponent in a competition or conflict.
- The word genou is a phonetic relative of the English word 'genu' found in medical terms like 'genu valgum' although the English common word 'knee' has a different root.
Examples in context
- Elle a vu un garçon à genoux devant l'autel.She saw a boy kneeling before the altar.This sentence shows how to describe someone kneeling before an altar using à genoux.Tatoeba #6297538 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #6297314 by carlosalberto
- Le religieux est resté à genoux pendant des heures.The religious man remained kneeling for hours.This sentence illustrates how to describe someone remaining in a kneeling position for a duration of time using à genoux.Tatoeba #2857287 by Yan, translation #877873 by CM
- Je m'agenouille.I am kneeling.
- Elle s'agenouille devant l'autel.She is kneeling in front of the altar.
- Ils se sont tous mis à genoux pour prier.They all knelt down to pray.
- Le chevalier se mit à genoux pour demander pardon.The knight got on his knees to ask for forgiveness.
- Les enfants étaient à genoux en train de prier.The children were on their knees praying.
- Je m'agenouille souvent par terre pour jardiner.I often kneel on the ground to garden.
- Elle s'est agenouillée par terre et lui a fait sa demande en mariage.She knelt on the ground and proposed to him.
- Il est resté à genoux pour réparer la roue.He stayed kneeling to fix the wheel.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are in the garden.
- LucasManon, pourquoi es-tu à genoux dans l'herbe ?Manon, why are you kneeling in the grass?
- ManonJe cherche mes clés, Lucas.I am looking for my keys, Lucas.
- LucasEst-ce que tu as besoin d'aide ?Do you need help?
- ManonOui, s'il te plaît.Yes, please.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
