leçon
/lə.sɔ̃/
The English phrase "lesson" is translated into French as leçon.
The word leçon refers to a learning task assigned to a student (noun).
Meaning: learning task assigned to a student (noun)
Which one should you use?
While leçon refers to the specific content or a single learning task, cours is used to refer to the period of instruction or the entire course of study.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of leçon is leçons.
How do you pronounce it?
/lə.sɔ̃/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- In French, you can donner une leçon to someone, which means to teach them a lesson through a harsh or painful experience rather than in a classroom.
- In a traditional French school setting, a leçon often refers specifically to the part of the lesson that a student must recite by heart from memory.
- The word leçon shares its Latin ancestor with the English word 'lecture', though they have evolved to mean very different things in modern usage.
Examples in context
- Révisons la leçon 5.Let's review Lesson 5.This sentence is useful for practicing how to refer to a specific lesson number using leçon.Tatoeba #129196 by Micsmithel, translation #276026 by CK
- Tom étudie sa leçon.Tom is studying his lesson.This sentence is useful for showing how to use leçon when someone is studying their specific task.Tatoeba #1502580 by martin9, translation #6772796 by Eccles17
- Merci pour la leçon.Thank you for the lesson.This sentence is useful for expressing gratitude for a leçon.Tatoeba #8540612 by Whidou, translation #3823064 by CK
- Eh, t'as ta séance de français quand?Hey, when do you have your French lesson?
- J'ai un cours de piano aujourd'hui.I have a piano lesson today.
- Cette université privilégie les cours magistraux pour l'apprentissage.This university emphasizes formal lectures for learning.
- 91 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their homework.
- NathanAs-tu fini la leçon de piano ?Did you finish the piano lesson?
- LéaNon, cette leçon est très difficile.No, this lesson is very difficult.
- NathanJe peux t'aider avec ta leçon.I can help you with your lesson.
- LéaC'est gentil, merci Nathan !That's kind, thank you Nathan!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry leçon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leçon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
