petit rat
The English phrase "little rat" is translated into French as petit rat.
This phrase refers to a small rodent of the genus Rattus.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "a little rat", use the masculine indefinite article un, resulting in un petit rat. To form the plural "little rats", you must add an s to both the adjective and the noun to create petits rats.
Did you know?
- In the world of ballet, a petit rat is a young student at the Paris Opera Ballet School.
- While English speakers use 'rat' to describe a traitor, in French, calling someone a rat can specifically imply they are a person who is stingy or miserly with money.
- The term petit rat became common for ballet students because they used to scurry across the stage in large numbers during finales.
Examples in context
- Ce p'tit rat est toujours en train de fouiner partout.This little rat is always nosing around.
- J'ai vu un petit rat dans le jardin.I saw a little rat in the garden.
- Le petit rat mange un morceau de fromage.The little rat is eating a piece of cheese.
- Attention, il y a un petit rat sous la table.Watch out, there is a little rat under the table.
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are looking at a box in the garage.
- NathanRegarde, il y a un petit rat dans la boîte !Look, there is a little rat in the box!
- LéaOh non, c'est très sale.Oh no, it is very dirty.
- NathanEst-ce qu'il est rapide ?Is it fast?
- LéaOui, il court très vite.Yes, it runs very fast.
