terre
/tɛʁ/feminine
In French, the word for land is terre.
The term terre refers to parts of the Earth not covered by water. Depending on the context, it can mean a specific territory or surface or it can refer to the actual substance of soil or dirt used for planting. To refer specifically to the planet Earth, use the phrase la terre.
Meaning: part of Earth that is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water (noun)
Which one should you use?
While terre is the standard term for land or soil, more specific words exist for different contexts. In formal settings, sol is used to refer specifically to the solid ground or soil and domaine is used in legal or administrative contexts to refer to land as a specific area or property.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective derived from terre to describe things that are land-based or terrestrial is terrestre.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɛʁ/
Did you know?
- In French, terre is used in the expression terre-à-terre to describe a person who is overly practical or unimaginative.
- The word terre shares an ancient root with the English word 'dry', from the Proto-Indo-European '*ters-' which meant 'to dry up'.
- While terre means land, the French word for 'terracotta' is terre cuite, which literally translates to 'cooked earth'.
Examples in context
- La terre est apparue.Land came in sight.This sentence shows the use of terre to mean land coming into sight.Tatoeba #8984658 by Micsmithel, translation #325395 by CM
- Tu labourais ta terre.You were tilling your land.This sentence demonstrates the use of terre to mean land being tilled.Tatoeba #2563875 by Amastan, translation #13912313 by zogwarg
- Il revendiqua la terre.He laid claim to the land.This sentence illustrates a claim being made to the terre.Tatoeba #942087 by sacredceltic, translation #291186 by sundown
- La terre est riche en ressources naturelles.The land is rich in natural resources.
- Les agriculteurs cultivent le sol fertile pour obtenir de bonnes récoltes.Farmers cultivate the fertile land for good harvests.
- J'adore la France et sa cuisine. C'est un pays magnifique !I love France and its cuisine. It's a beautiful country!
- La terre de mes ancêtres a une place spéciale dans mon cœur.The land of my ancestors holds a special place in my heart.
- Nous avons acheté un terrain pour notre future maison.We bought a plot of land for our future home.
- J'aime me promener dans la nature et sentir le sol sous mes pieds.I enjoy walking in nature and feeling the land beneath my feet.
- 96 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are looking at a map of a new island.
- LucasRegarde, il y a beaucoup de terre ici.Look, there is a lot of land here.
- ManonOui, la terre semble très fertile.Yes, the land seems very fertile.
- LucasManon, est-ce que tu vois la terre ferme ?Manon, do you see dry land?
- ManonOui, elle est juste là-bas.Yes, it is right over there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “land” translations and entries terre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries terre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
