bord de mer
The English phrase "seaside" is translated into French as bord de mer.
bord de mer is used to refer to the area by and around the sea.
Meaning: the area by and around the sea (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bord de mer literally translates to "edge of sea".
Which one should you use?
While bord de mer is often used as a compound noun for the seaside area or a type of location, au bord de la mer is used to describe the specific physical location of being right at the water's edge.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing a location or a type of property, the preposition en is commonly used with bord de mer, as in en bord de mer.
Did you know?
- The word bord in bord de mer was inherited from the Frankish language rather than Latin. This reflects the influence of Germanic tribes on early French.
- The word bord in bord de mer shares an ancestral root with the English word 'board'. Originally, it referred to the edge of a wooden plank.
- French distinguishes between the coast as a geographical border, le littoral, and the more leisure-oriented bord de mer. Le littoral is used in environmental and administrative contexts.
Examples in context
- En été, les gens se rendent en bord de mer.In the summer, people go to the seaside.This sentence shows how people go to the seaside in summer using bord de mer.Tatoeba #1418282 by sacredceltic, translation #24387 by CK
- Les voyageurs séjournèrent dans un hôtel en bord de mer.The travelers stayed at a seaside hotel.This sentence shows how travelers stay at a hotel using bord de mer.Tatoeba #1417832 by sacredceltic, translation #325575 by CK
- Il est déterminé à acheter une villa en bord de mer.He is bent on buying a seaside villa.This sentence shows a person's determination to buy a villa using bord de mer.Tatoeba #12021732 by lbdx, translation #5306559 by AlanF_US
- Je vais passer mes vacances au bord de la mer.I am going to spend my vacation at the seaside.
- Les touristes profitent du magnifique littoral de la Côte d'Azur.Tourists enjoy the beautiful seaside of the French Riviera.
- On part à la plage demain matin, tu viens avec nous?We're going to the seaside tomorrow morning, are you coming with us?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are planning their vacation.
- ChloéOn cherche une maison en bord de mer ?Are we looking for a house by the seaside?
- HugoOui, j'adore le bord de mer.Yes, I love the seaside.
- ChloéTu veux nager tous les jours ?Do you want to swim every day?
- HugoAbsolument, c'est mon rêve.Absolutely, it's my dream.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bord, de, mer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
