lieu
/ljø/
lieu is the French word for place.
The noun lieu is used in the fixed verbal expression avoir lieu to mean that an event occurs or takes place. You can also use the formal phrase en lieu et place to mean "instead of" or "in place of" a person or thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of lieu is lieux.
How do you pronounce it?
/ljø/
Did you know?
- The French phrase lieu-dit refers to a specifically named small place or a hamlet that has no administrative status.
- The English word 'lieu' in phrases like 'in lieu of' is borrowed directly from the French lieu.
- The word lieu comes from the Latin locum, making it a close relative of the English word 'location'.
Examples in context
- La cérémonie aura lieu dans un endroit élégant et prestigieux.The ceremony will take place in an elegant and prestigious location.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing where to meet for dinner.
- EmmaAs-tu trouvé un lieu pour dîner ?Did you find a place for dinner?
- HugoOui, je connais un lieu sympa en ville.Yes, I know a nice place in town.
- EmmaC'est quel genre de lieu ?What kind of place is it?
- HugoC'est un petit restaurant italien.It is a small Italian restaurant.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lieu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lieu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
