Mort
/mɔʁ/
Mort is the French word for death.
Mort refers to the state of no longer being alive. It can function as an adjective meaning 'dead' to describe a person or a thing.
Which one should you use?
While mort is used as an adjective to mean 'dead', the noun form used to describe the concept of 'death' itself is la mort.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, mort must agree with the noun it describes. It takes a feminine ending e to become morte for feminine nouns, and a masculine plural ending s to become morts for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɔʁ/
Did you know?
- The English word 'mortgage' is a linguistic fossil of the French 'mort' and 'gage', literally meaning a 'dead pledge' because the loan expires upon the death of the debtor or full payment.
- The phrase être mort de rire describes laughing so hard that you feel you might die, and its abbreviation MDR is the French equivalent of 'LOL'.
- The phrase 'la petite mort' is a common French idiom that does not refer to actual death, but is used as a metaphor for the brief loss of consciousness or sensation after orgasm.
Examples in context
- Les Français appellent l'orgasme la petite mort.The French call orgasms "la petite mort" (the little death).This sentence shows how the word Mort is used in the idiomatic expression la petite mort.Tatoeba #6866111 by GB3, translation #6882577 by kaiperkins271
- Jean-Pierre est décédé hierJean-Pierre passed away yesterday
- Notre regretté présidentOur late president
- Nous sommes attristés par le décès de Madame DupontWe are saddened by the death of Mrs. Dupont
- Il a claqué à 90 ansHe passed away at the age of 90
- La famille est bouleversée par la mort de leur chien adoré.The family is devastated by the death of their beloved dog.
- Nous offrons nos condoléances à la famille du défunt.We offer our condolences to the family of the deceased person.
- Marc est mort de rire en regardant la comédie.Marc died of laughter while watching the comedy.
- La mort est une étape naturelle.Death is a natural stage.
- Il n'a pas peur de la mort.He is not afraid of death.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing a sad movie.
- GabrielCe film est très triste.This movie is very sad.
- ManonOui, la mort du personnage est tragique.Yes, the character's death is tragic.
- GabrielJe ne m'y attendais pas.I didn't expect it.
- ManonMoi non plus, Gabriel.Me neither, Gabriel.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry mort.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mort, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
