Centre commercial
/sɑ̃.tʁə kɔ.mɛʁ.sjal/
The English phrase "shopping mall" is translated into French as Centre commercial.
Centre commercial refers to a large building containing many different stores and restaurants.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase translates literally to "commercial center".
How does it change in a sentence?
Centre commercial is a masculine phrase, so it uses the definite article le instead of la when referring to a specific mall. To make the phrase plural, both centre and commercial take an s to become les centres commerciaux.
Did you know?
- The adjective commercial is often used in French to describe things that are 'standard' or 'uninspired', rather than just relating to business.
- In France, you will often see the term galerie marchande used for a shopping mall, especially if it is an open-air walkway or a smaller complex.
- The word centre in Centre commercial shares a distant root with the Greek word kéntron, which means a 'sharp point' or the tip of a tool.
Examples in context
- Où se trouve le centre commercial le plus proche ?Where's the nearest shopping mall?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the nearest Centre commercial.Tatoeba #728190 by chkube, translation #27271 by CK
- À la station de lavage de voitures, près du centre commercial.At the car wash next to the shopping mall.This sentence is useful for describing a location near the Centre commercial.Tatoeba #1104063 by sacredceltic, translation #52858 by Swift
- Le centre commercial est très grand.The shopping mall is very large.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are planning their Saturday afternoon.
- EmmaOn va au centre commercial cet après-midi ?Are we going to the shopping mall this afternoon?
- NathanOui, j'ai besoin de nouveaux vêtements.Yes, I need some new clothes.
- EmmaIl y a aussi un bon restaurant là-bas.There is also a good restaurant there.
- NathanParfait, on pourra manger ensemble.Perfect, we can eat together.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry centre commercial.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Centre, centre, commercial, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
