chaise longue
The English phrase sunbed is translated into French as chaise longue.
A sunbed is a reclining beach chair, also known as a sunlounger.
Meaning: reclining beach chair (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term chaise longue literally translates to long chair.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, you may use chaise de plage to refer to a sunbed.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, both the noun and the adjective take an s, resulting in chaises longues.
Did you know?
- The 's' in chaise connects it to the Latin word 'cathedra', the same root used for the English word 'cathedral'. This means your 'long chair' is etymologically linked to the seats of high religious office.
- English speakers often say 'chaise lounge', but this is a folk etymology that mistakenly replaces the French word for 'long' with the English word 'lounge'.
- While chaise longue refers to the furniture, French speakers use the word transat for the portable sling chairs often found on beaches.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, où puis-je trouver une chaise longue près de la piscine ?Excuse me, where can I find a sunbed near the pool?
- Est-ce que je peux m'installer sur le transat libre à côté de vous ?Can I sit on the free sunbed next to you?
- Est-ce que cette chaise longue est occupée ?Is this sunbed taken?
- Est-ce que je peux m'installer sur ce transat ?Can I sit on this sunbed?
- Je vais m'allonger sur une chaise longue.I am going to lie down on a sunbed.
- Est-ce qu'il reste une chaise longue de libre ?Is there a sunbed available?
- Elle a installé sa chaise longue sous le parasol.She set up her sunbed under the parasol.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are at the beach.
- LucasRegarde, il reste une chaise longue libre !Look, there is one free sunbed left!
- ManonSuper, on s'installe vite alors.Great, let's get settled quickly then.
- LucasJe vais chercher une serviette pour la chaise longue.I'll go get a towel for the sunbed.
- ManonD'accord, je garde la place pour nous.Okay, I'll save the spot for us.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chaise, chaise longue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
