province
/pʁɔ.vɛ̃s/feminine
The English phrase "province" is translated into French as province. If unsure, use province. Wiktionary also lists état.
Meaning: a subdivision of government usually one step below the national level (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| province | /pʁɔ.vɛ̃s/ | feminine |
| état | /e.ta/ | masculine |
The word refers to a subdivision of government, typically one step below the national level.
Which one should you use?
While both terms refer to administrative divisions, in a French context, the term la province is often used to refer to any part of the country located outside of Paris.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun province is feminine and is used with the feminine article la to form la province.
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁɔ.vɛ̃s/
Did you know?
- The word province is a linguistic doublet of Provence, the sunny region in southeastern France. Both words originate from the same Latin root, but evolved differently in the French language.
- In the context of the French Revolution, les états referred to the three social classes or estates of the realm, not just geographical divisions.
- While la province refers to areas outside Paris, some residents of those regions find the term slightly condescending, as it implies the capital is the only 'real' center of the country.
Examples in context
- Voici une liste des hôtels de la capitale et de la province.Here's a list of hotels in the capital and province.This sentence is useful for showing how to list locations like the capital and the province.Tatoeba #5644004 by narnar, translation #435100 by lukaszpp
- C'est une ville de 1000 habitants qui se trouve dans la Province de Savone.It is a town of 1000 people that is located in the Province of Savona.This sentence shows the word being used to describe a specific location within a province.Tatoeba #7851024 by JeanM, translation #7851025 by JeanM
- La capitale de l'Équateur est Quito, située dans la province montagneuse de Pichincha.The capital of Ecuador is Quito, in the mountainous province of Pichincha.This sentence demonstrates how to describe a province using an adjective like mountainous.Tatoeba #3772310 by GB3, translation #703293 by papabear
- Je viens de la province de Québec.I am from the province of Quebec.
- Mon ami vit dans le département de la Haute-Savoie.My friend lives in the department of Haute-Savoie.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are discussing where to live.
- NathanTu veux habiter à Paris ou en province ?Do you want to live in Paris or in the provinces?
- ManonJe préfère le calme de la province.I prefer the quiet of the provinces.
- NathanC'est vrai que c'est plus relaxant.It's true that it is more relaxing.
- ManonOn pourrait chercher une maison là-bas.We could look for a house there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “province” translations and entries province, état, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries province, état, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
