chasse-neige
The French for snow plough is chasse-neige.
What does it mean word for word?
It is a compound of chasse, from the verb meaning to chase or drive away and neige, snow.
Which one should you use?
déneigeuse is a feminine noun for a snow clearing machine, as in Regarde, les déneigeuses sont là ! When you mean only the blade, the term is lame de déneigement.
Is it said differently in some regions?
déneigeuse is the usual word in Quebec.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine: un chasse-neige. In the plural an s is added: des chasse-neiges.
Did you know?
- The verb chasser used in chasse-neige also means 'hunting', which frames the snow plough as a hunter driving the snow from the road.
- The word neige shares a common linguistic ancestor with the English scientific term 'nival', used to describe organisms that grow in snow.
- In Quebec, the term déneigeuse is frequently used to refer to the driver of the vehicle as well as the machine itself.
Examples in context
- Le chasse-neige déblaye la route.The snow plough is clearing the road.
- Il faut un gros chasse-neige pour ce chemin.We need a big snow plough for this path.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are looking out the window at a snowy street.
- HugoRegarde, Manon, voilà le chasse-neige !Look, Manon, here comes the snow plough!
- ManonEnfin ! La route était vraiment bloquée.Finally! The road was really blocked.
- HugoLe chasse-neige va vite aujourd'hui.The snow plough is going fast today.
- ManonOui, on pourra bientôt sortir la voiture.Yes, we'll be able to take the car out soon.
