Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| étang | /e.tɑ̃/ | masculine |
| mare | /maʁ/ /mɑʁ/ |
feminine |
When referring to a body of water, you can use étang or mare. If you are thinking of the verb sense of pooling resources, you might use mettre en commun to mean combining or contributing with others or réunir to mean putting things together.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two forms depends on the size and permanence of the water. étang refers to a larger, more permanent body of water like a pond or a small lake. In contrast, mare refers to a smaller, often temporary puddle or a small, shallow, marshy pool.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in rural areas, étang can be used to describe a pool, specifically a natural or artificial pond or small lake.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun étang becomes étangs in its plural form. The feminine noun mare becomes mares in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.tɑ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use étang or mare to refer to a man-made swimming pool. Instead, use the word piscine.
Did you know?
- The word piscine for a swimming pool comes from the Latin word for a fish pond. This reflects a history where wealthy Romans kept fish in artificial pools.
- The word mare is actually a distant relative of the English word 'sea' and the French word 'mer'. They all share a common ancestor that refers to large bodies of water.
- In rural France, an étang is often a man-made feature designed specifically for fish farming rather than just a natural pond.
Examples in context
- Nous allons nager à la piscine ce soir.We are going swimming at the pool tonight.
- La réserve d'eau de cette piscine est écologique.The water reserve of this pool is ecological.
- Ma fille adore jouer dans la pataugeoire.My daughter loves playing in the wading pool.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are walking in a park.
- NathanRegarde cet étang, Emma !Look at that pool, Emma!
- EmmaC'est magnifique et très paisible.It is magnificent and very peaceful.
- NathanOn peut s'asseoir près de l'étang.We can sit near the pool.
- EmmaBonne idée, Nathan.Good idea, Nathan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pool” translations and entries étang, mare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mare, étang, CC BY-SA 4.0.
