arbustes
The English word "shrubs" is translated into French as arbustes.
The term arbustes refers to woody plants that are smaller than trees and typically feature several main stems rising directly from the ground.
Which one should you use?
In a botanical context, the term arbuste is specifically used for woody plants that are smaller than trees, while the word arbre is used to refer to trees.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the noun is arbuste (shrub), and the plural form is arbustes (shrubs).
Did you know?
- In French, the word arbuste is a diminutive of arbre 'tree'. It literally describes a 'little tree' rather than a separate category of plant.
- In French law and urban planning, arbustes and arbres are often categorized differently to determine which plants can be legally removed from a property without a permit.
- In French gardening discussions, you might hear the word buisson used instead of arbuste. While arbuste is the precise botanical term, buisson often implies a more wild, unkempt, or tangled mass of vegetation.
Examples in context
- « Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? » « Eh bien, tu vois, je voulais que les arbustes soient taillés. »"What is it?" "Well, you see, I wanted the shrubs pruned."This sentence is useful for seeing how to use arbustes when discussing the pruning of plants.Tatoeba #11478847 by Micsmithel, translation #329342 by fcbond
- Mon jardin est rempli d'arbustes magnifiques.My garden is filled with magnificent shrubs.
- Les buissons de roses dans son jardin sont splendides.The rose shrubs/bushes in her garden are splendid.
- Les arbustes d'ornement ajoutent une belle touche de couleur à mon jardin.The decorative shrubs add a beautiful touch of color to my garden.
- Il a planté de petits arbustes dans le jardin.He planted small shrubs in the garden.
- Ces arbustes poussent très vite au printemps.These shrubs grow very quickly in spring.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are looking at a gardening catalog.
- NathanManon, regarde ces beaux arbustes verts.Manon, look at these beautiful green shrubs.
- ManonIls sont très jolis, Nathan.They are very pretty, Nathan.
- NathanOn en achète pour la cour ?Shall we buy some for the courtyard?
- ManonOui, achetons ces arbustes dès demain.Yes, let's buy those shrubs tomorrow.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
