plantes
The English phrase 'plants' is translated into French as plantes.
For more formal, academic or scientific contexts, you may use Les végétaux. Additionally, Le règne végétal is the term used to translate 'the plant kingdom'.
Which one should you use?
In the phrase les plantes, the word is a noun meaning botanical plants, whereas in tu plantes, it is a verb meaning 'you plant'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the noun is plante. The plural form is plantes. Note that the plural form plantes is identical to the second-person singular conjugation of the verb planter (to plant).
Did you know?
- The phrase planter un lapin literally means 'to plant a rabbit' but it actually means to stand someone up on a date.
- When a computer crashes or freezes in French, users say the system has planté.
- If you say 'je me plante' in a casual setting, you aren't talking about plants, but rather that you 'made a mistake' or 'failed'.
Examples in context
- Arrose les plantes !Water the plants.Tatoeba #3657456 by sacredceltic, translation #268565 by CK
- Il parle aux plantes.He talks to plants.Tatoeba #6464400 by GB3, translation #6463876 by mervert1
- Je possède des plantes.I have plants.Tatoeba #5545271 by sacredceltic, translation #2822683 by Hybrid
- Les végétaux jouent un rôle crucial dans l'équilibre écologique.Plants play a crucial role in the ecological balance.
- 112 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are in a garden center.
- EmmaEst-ce que tu aimes ces plantes ?Do you like these plants?
- LucasOui, elles sont très belles.Yes, they are very beautiful.
- EmmaJe vais acheter quelques plantes pour l'appartement.I am going to buy some plants for the apartment.
- LucasC'est une excellente idée, Emma.That is an excellent idea, Emma.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
