bastion
/bas.tjɔ̃/masculine
The English word stronghold can be translated into French as bastion or place forte.
Meaning: place built to withstand attack (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bastion | /bas.tjɔ̃/ | masculine |
| place forte | /plas fɔʁt/ | feminine |
Both terms describe a place built to withstand attack. Use bastion when referring to a stronghold of an idea, religion or political movement. Use place forte when referring to a physical, fortified military structure or a defensive position.
Which one should you use?
bastion is used for abstract or metaphorical strongholds, while place forte is used for physical or military strongholds.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the masculine noun bastion is bastions. The plural of the feminine noun place forte is places fortes.
How do you pronounce it?
/bas.tjɔ̃/
Did you know?
- The word bastion shares a root with bastille, the name of the infamous prison in Paris. Both words originally referred to a general type of fortress before the Bastille became a specific building.
- French distinguishes between a bastion and a citadelle. While a bastion is often a part of a wall, a citadelle is the final stronghold of last resort within a city.
- In a military context, a bastion is specifically the projecting part of a fortification. In English, 'stronghold' is a general term, but bastion in French can be a very specific architectural feature.
Examples in context
- Bien que l'Iran soit connu aujourd'hui comme un bastion du chiisme, la plupart des Musulmans persans étaient sunnites jusqu'au XVe siècle.Although Iran is nowadays known for being a stronghold of Shia Islam, most Persian Muslims were Sunni until the XVth century.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use bastion in a metaphorical context regarding religion.Tatoeba #534099 by sacredceltic, translation #535966 by sacredceltic
- La citadelle de Carcassonne est un exemple remarquable d'une forteresse médiévale.The Citadel of Carcassonne is a remarkable example of a medieval stronghold.
- Ce bastion protège la ville de l'invasion.This stronghold protects the city from invasion.
- L'armée a pris le dernier bastion de la montagne.The army took the last stronghold on the mountain.
Example conversation
Two history students are discussing a museum exhibit.
- NathanEst-ce que ce bastion était très ancien ?Was this stronghold very old?
- EmmaOui, Nathan, il date du Moyen Âge.Yes, Nathan, it dates back to the Middle Ages.
- NathanEmma, regarde la taille de ces murs !Emma, look at the size of these walls!
- EmmaC'est incroyable pour un bastion de cette époque.It is incredible for a stronghold of that era.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stronghold” translations and entries bastion, place forte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bastion, place, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
