atterri
The French word for "landed" is atterri.
The term atterri is used to describe the action of an aircraft having arrived on the ground following a flight.
Which one should you use?
While atterri refers to the completed action of having landed, its opposite is décoller, which means to take off.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a landing that was in progress or a habitual landing in the past, you would use the imperfect tense form atterrissait (was landing / used to land).
Did you know?
- While atterri is used for aircraft, a boat 'landing' or docking uses the word accoster, as using atterrir for a ship would sound like the boat crashed into the beach.
- While atterrir describes a plane landing, the phrase retomber sur terre is used to tell someone to 'come back to reality' or 'get their head out of the clouds'.
- While atterrir is strictly for aviation, the French use the slang verb se poser to describe an airplane touching down. This verb literally means 'to place oneself' or 'to settle', much like a butterfly landing on a flower.
Examples in context
- L'avion a atterri à Tokyo.The jet landed at Tokyo.This sentence shows the use of atterri to indicate a destination.Tatoeba #8029552 by marioo, translation #53697 by CK
- L'avion a atterri dans l'océan.The plane landed in the ocean.This sentence demonstrates how to use atterri when describing a landing location.Tatoeba #8413065 by Aiji, translation #4333100 by AlanF_US
- L'avion a atterri sans encombre.The plane landed without a problem.This sentence shows atterri being used to describe a landing that occurred without any issues.Tatoeba #6487203 by GB3, translation #2693821 by Joseph
- J'ai atterri à Paris hier soir.I landed in Paris last night.
- L'avion va se poser sur la piste numéro deux.The plane is going to land on runway number two.
- Le pilote s'est posé en douceur.The pilot landed smoothly.
- Je suis content d'avoir atterri à temps pour le dîner.I'm glad I landed on time for dinner.
- On a tous atterri sains et saufs malgré la tempête.We all landed safe and sound despite the storm.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is calling Chloé to tell her his flight arrived.
- NathanL'avion a enfin atterri.The plane has finally landed.
- ChloéC'est super, Nathan ! Tu es où ?That's great, Nathan! Where are you?
- NathanJe suis à l'aéroport.I am at the airport.
- ChloéJe viens te chercher.I am coming to pick you up.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
