tonte de pelouse
The English phrase lawn mowing is tonte de pelouse in French.
What does it mean word for word?
tonte de pelouse is composed of tonte (mowing/cutting) and pelouse (lawn/grass).
How does it change in a sentence?
While tonte de pelouse is the noun phrase for the activity, the verbal phrase tondre la pelouse is used to describe the action of mowing the lawn.
Did you know?
- French has a specific word tondeuse for the machine used for tonte de pelouse. Interestingly, the same word is used for hair clippers used on the head.
- While 'lawn mowing' is a common chore, if you use the word tonte in a political context, it can refer to a 'purge' or a systematic removal of people from a group.
- The word pelouse comes from the Latin pilosus, meaning 'hairy'. It originally described a thickset or hairy texture of the land.
Examples in context
- Le jardinier viendra tondre le gazon demain matin.The gardener will come to mow the lawn tomorrow morning.
- Je dois couper l'herbe ce weekend.I have to mow the lawn this weekend.
- Le service de tonte de pelouse est très cher.The lawn mowing service is very expensive.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing chores in the garden.
- GabrielManon, tu t'occupes de la tonte de pelouse ?Manon, are you taking care of the lawn mowing?
- ManonNon, je préfère arroser les fleurs.No, I prefer watering the flowers.
- GabrielD'accord, je vais faire la tonte de pelouse.Okay, I will do the lawn mowing.
- ManonMerci beaucoup, Gabriel !Thank you very much, Gabriel!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, pelouse, tonte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
