point de repère
/pwɛ̃ də ʁ(ə).pɛʁ/
The English phrase 'landmark' is translated into French as point de repère.
The term point de repère is used for both physical landmarks (like a tower) and abstract landmarks (like a milestone in a career).
Meaning: notable location (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase point de repère literally translates to 'point of reference'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is points de repère, where only the word point takes an 's'.
How do you pronounce it?
/pwɛ̃ də ʁ(ə).pɛʁ/
Did you know?
- The term point de repère is used in French athletics and dance to describe a specific visual spot a performer focuses on to maintain balance.
- The word repère was originally just a different way to spell repaire, which refers to a den or a hideout for animals and criminals.
- While point de repère can be abstract, you would use jalon to describe a milestone in a project or a life event.
Examples in context
- Le Louvre est un monument emblématique de Paris.The Louvre is an iconic landmark of Paris.
- Le Mont Saint-Michel est un site historique incontournable de la Normandie.Mont Saint-Michel is an unmissable historic landmark in Normandy.
- Le phare est un repère pour les marins.The lighthouse is a landmark for sailors.
- Le pont du Gard est un lieu emblématique du sud de la France.The Pont du Gard is an iconic place in the south of France.
- La cathédrale est un point de repère dans la ville.The cathedral is a landmark in the city.
- Le Château de Versailles est un monument incontournable de la France.Versailles Palace is an unmissable landmark of France.
- Le Golden Gate Bridge est un lieu emblématique de San Francisco.The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic landmark of San Francisco.
- La tour est un point de repère important.The tower is an important landmark.
- Utilise cette église comme point de repère.Use this church as a landmark.
- Je cherche un point de repère pour me retrouver.I am looking for a landmark to find my way.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are trying to find a specific address in the city.
- ChloéJe suis perdue, je ne vois aucun point de repère.I am lost, I don't see any landmarks.
- LucasRegarde, il y a une grande église là-bas.Look, there is a large church over there.
- ChloéAh oui, c'est un bon point de repère !Oh yes, that's a good landmark!
- LucasL'adresse doit être juste après l'église.The address should be just after the church.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry point de repère, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, point, repère, CC BY-SA 4.0.
