montagne
/mɔ̃.taɲ/
montagne is the French word for mountain.
A montagne is a large natural elevation of the earth's surface that rises abruptly from the surrounding level.
Which one should you use?
While montagne refers to a large mountain, the word colline is used for a smaller hill.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of montagne is montagnes, which is created by adding an -s to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɔ̃.taɲ/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- The word montagne is used in the name of the 'Montagnards', a radical political faction during the French Revolution who sat on the highest benches of the National Assembly.
- The phrase faire une montagne d'un rien describes the act of making a mountain out of a molehill, though French uses 'nothing' rien instead of a 'molehill'.
- French has a specific word, montagnard, to describe someone who lives in the mountains, which carries a distinct cultural connotation of toughness and independence.
Examples in context
- On va à la montagne ce weekendWe're going to the mountains this weekend
- J'adore la montagne en hiverI love the mountains in winter
- Regarde cette immense montagne enneigée.Look at this immense snowy mountain.
- Nous allons faire une randonnée en montagne.We are going to go hiking in the mountains.
- La montagne est très haute ici.The mountain is very high here.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are looking at a landscape from a balcony.
- LéaQuelle belle montagne !What a beautiful mountain!
- NathanOui, elle est magnifique, Léa.Yes, it is magnificent, Léa.
- LéaEst-ce que tu veux grimper ?Do you want to climb it?
- NathanNon, je préfère rester ici.No, I prefer to stay here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry montagne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
