Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| étape | /e.tap/ | feminine |
| phase | /faz/ | feminine |
When you mean a stage in the sense of a specific step, milestone or a point in a sequence of events, use étape. This is also the standard term used in sports contexts, such as a stage of a cycling race. If you are referring to a stage as a distinct period of time or a particular state of development, such as a growth phase, use phase. Note that if you are referring to a physical 'stage' (the platform where people perform), you should use different words such as scène or planche.
Which one should you use?
Use étape to describe a specific step or milestone within a process or a sequence. In contrast, use phase to describe a period of time or a state of development.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word étape is pronounced /e.tap/ and consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In a professional context, the word stage in French actually refers to an internship, which is a common false friend for English speakers.
- The word étape is a distant relative of the English word 'staple', both tracing back to a Germanic root meaning a 'place' or 'market'.
- If you are talking about a stage in a journey or a stopping point, you might use the word escale, which is specifically used for ships or planes.
Examples in context
- La première étape est achevée.The first stage is complete.This sentence is useful for describing the completion of the first stage using étape.Tatoeba #4218268 by sacredceltic, translation #4193795 by tinowls
- La prochaine étape de l'enquête est l'analyse des résultats obtenus.The next stage of the investigation is the analysis of the results obtained.This sentence is useful for describing the next stage of an investigation using étape.Tatoeba #11052529 by Aiji, translation #10666288 by AlanF_US
- Marcel Kittel a remporté la première étape du Tour de France.Marcel Kittel has won the first stage of the Tour de France.This sentence is useful for describing a stage of a race using étape.Tatoeba #3361453 by Blabla, translation #3384276 by petersmr
- Il n'a jamais eu le trac avant de monter sur les planches.He never had stage fright before going on stage.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are discussing a project at work.
- LéaOn a terminé la première étape du projet.We finished the first stage of the project.
- HugoC'est super, quelle est la prochaine étape ?That's great, what is the next stage?
- LéaNous devons maintenant valider le budget.We now have to validate the budget.
- HugoD'accord, je m'en occupe tout de suite.Okay, I'll take care of it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stage” translations and entries étape, phase, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries étape, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
