muséum d'histoire naturelle
The English phrase "museum of natural history" is muséum d'histoire naturelle in French.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of muséum (museum), d'histoire (of history) and naturelle (natural).
Which one should you use?
Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle is a way to refer to specific institutions like the one in Paris. le Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle is the specific official name of the famous natural history museum located in Paris.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective naturelle is feminine to agree with the feminine noun histoire.
Did you know?
- The word muséum was borrowed from Latin and later replaced by musée for general use, but it was preserved specifically for natural history institutions.
- The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris is one of the oldest museums in the world and actually consists of two separate sites: the Jardin des Plantes and the Galerie de l'Évolution.
- Because histoire can mean 'story' or 'history', the phrase can linguistically be interpreted by a literalist as a 'museum of a natural story', though its scientific meaning is never in doubt.
Examples in context
- Tu veux qu'on visite le Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Marseille?Do you want to visit the Museum of Natural History in Marseille?
- Je vais au muséum d'histoire naturelle.I am going to the museum of natural history.
- Le muséum d'histoire naturelle est magnifique.The museum of natural history is magnificent.
- Il y a une exposition au muséum d'histoire naturelle.There is an exhibition at the museum of natural history.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are discussing their plans for the afternoon in Paris.
- LucasTu veux aller au muséum d'histoire naturelle ?Do you want to go to the museum of natural history?
- EmmaOui, c'est une excellente idée !Yes, that is an excellent idea!
- LucasOn peut voir les squelettes de dinosaures.We can see the dinosaur skeletons.
- EmmaParfait, allons-y maintenant.Perfect, let's go now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries muséum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
