plan
/plɑ̃/masculine
In French, the English phrase "plan" can be translated as plan or projet.
Meaning: set of intended actions (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| plan | /plɑ̃/ | masculine |
| projet | /pʁɔ.ʒɛ/ | masculine |
The word plan refers to a set of intended actions. It is also the standard French word for a map or a floor plan. If you are referring to a project or a highly detailed plan of action, you may use projet. Related verbs include projeter (to create a plan for), prévoir (to intend), penser (to intend), avoir l'intention (to intend) and programmer (to plan or to schedule).
Which one should you use?
While plan is commonly used for a map or floor plan, projet is a more formal term specifically used to describe a project or a detailed plan of action.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both plan and projet are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/plɑ̃/
Did you know?
- The word plan is also a doublet of 'piano'. This is because the instrument is named for its flat, level keyboard, deriving from the same Latin root as plan.
- In French cinema, un plan refers to a 'shot' or a 'take'. A director might talk about le plan d'ensemble to describe a wide shot of a scene.
- The word projet can describe not just a professional task but also a personal 'dream' or 'aspiration' for the future, such as mon projet de vie.
Examples in context
- Tom a un plan.Tom has a plan.This sentence is useful for showing how to use plan to indicate possession.Tatoeba #8619899 by Micsmithel, translation #2649102 by CK
- Le plan a échoué.The plan has failed.This sentence shows how to use plan in the context of a failure.Tatoeba #5380274 by Aiji, translation #3426431 by CK
- Ce plan a échoué.That plan failed.This sentence shows how to use plan when pointing to a specific plan.Tatoeba #5661956 by Aiji, translation #4498482 by CK
- Au cours de la réunion, nous avons discuté du plan pour le prochain projet.During the meeting, we discussed the plan for the next project.
- 533 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are discussing their weekend activity.
- HugoAs-tu un plan pour samedi ?Do you have a plan for Saturday?
- LéaNon, je n'ai pas encore de plan.No, I don't have a plan yet.
- HugoMon plan est d'aller au cinéma.My plan is to go to the cinema.
- LéaC'est un super plan, Hugo !That's a great plan, Hugo!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plan” translations and entries plan, projet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries plan, projet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
