masse continentale
The English phrase 'landmass' is translated into French as masse continentale.
The term refers to a large continuous area of land.
Meaning: large continuous area of land (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of masse (mass) and continentale (continental).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun masse is feminine, so the adjective continentale must also take the feminine form with an e at the end. For example, you would say une masse continentale to mean 'a landmass.'
Did you know?
- The word masse has an unexpected connection to food, as its Ancient Greek ancestor mâza originally referred to a type of barley bread.
- While masse continentale is a geographical term, the single word masse can also mean a heavy sledgehammer in French.
- In electrical engineering, a French speaker uses the word masse to refer to the 'ground' or 'earth' of a circuit.
Examples in context
- La Russie possède une vaste étendue de terreRussia possesses a vast expanse of land
- L'Asie est la plus grande étendue terrestre du globeAsia is the largest landmass on the globe
- L'Australie est une grosse étendue de terreAustralia is a big stretch of land
- L'Europe est une grande étendue géographiqueEurope is a vast geographical expanse
- L'Océanie est un ensemble de petites îles et de grosses étendues de terre.Oceania is a combination of small islands and large landmasses.
- L'Amérique du Sud est une vaste étendue terrestre, offrant une belle diversité de paysages.South America is a vast landmass, offering a beautiful variety of landscapes.
- Le Groenland est une grosse étendue de terre recouverte de glace.Greenland is a big landmass covered in ice.
- Cette masse continentale est immense.This landmass is immense.
- L'exploration de la masse continentale a pris des années.The exploration of the landmass took years.
- Le climat change sur toute la masse continentale.The climate is changing across the entire landmass.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are looking at a world map in a classroom.
- EmmaRegarde cette énorme masse continentale ici.Look at this huge landmass here.
- HugoC'est l'Afrique, n'est-ce pas ?That's Africa, isn't it?
- EmmaOui, Hugo, c'est bien l'Afrique.Yes, Hugo, it is indeed Africa.
- HugoElle est vraiment impressionnante.It is truly impressive.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries masse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
