soleil levant
The English phrase "rising sun" is translated into French as soleil levant.
soleil levant is used as a noun phrase to refer to the sun as it appears in the sky during sunrise.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun soleil (sun) and the present participle levant (rising).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because soleil is a masculine noun, the definite article used with this phrase is le (le soleil levant). While soleil levant is a noun phrase used as a subject or object, if you want to describe the actual action of the sun rising, you should use the verbal phrase le soleil se lève.
Did you know?
- Because levant refers to the East, its opposite direction, the West, is called le couchant, meaning 'the setting'.
- The word soleil comes from a diminutive form in Vulgar Latin, specifically sōliculus, which implies a 'little sun'.
- The word lever used in soleil levant is the same root used for the phrase se lever, which describes a person getting out of bed.
Examples in context
- Le Japon est le pays du soleil levant.Japan is the land of the rising sun.This sentence shows how to refer to Japan as the land of the soleil levant.Tatoeba #6319985 by Adelpa, translation #6319984 by Adelpa
- Le soleil levant est magnifique ce matin.The rising sun is magnificent this morning.This sentence is used to describe the beauty of the soleil levant in the morning.Tatoeba #13226242 by menaud, translation #13226240 by menaud
- J'adore regarder le soleil levant sur la mer.I love watching the rising sun over the sea.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are sitting on a balcony early in the morning.
- LéaRegarde comme le soleil levant est beau, Gabriel.Look how beautiful the rising sun is, Gabriel.
- GabrielOui, c'est une vue magnifique.Yes, it is a magnificent view.
- LéaTu veux prendre une photo ?Do you want to take a photo?
- GabrielBonne idée, je sors mon téléphone.Good idea, I'm getting my phone.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries levant, soleil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
