le drapeau français
The French phrase for "the French flag" is le drapeau français.
This phrase is used to refer to the national flag of France.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the definite article le (the), the noun drapeau (flag) and the adjective français (French).
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the adjective français follows the noun drapeau and must agree in gender and number with it. To make the phrase plural, the article and the noun change to les drapeaux, while the adjective français remains the same because it already ends in an s.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly capitalize the adjective français as in English. However, in French, adjectives of nationality are not capitalized unless they are used as a noun referring to a person.
Did you know?
- When le drapeau français is flown at half-mast, the top of the flag must first be hoisted to the peak before being lowered to the middle position.
- The colors of le drapeau français were originally chosen to represent the king's white color combined with the blue and red of the city of Paris.
- In the French Navy, the version of le drapeau français used on ships is technically called le pavillon français.
Examples in context
- Le drapeau français est bleu, blanc, et rouge.The French flag is blue, white, and red.This sentence is useful for describing the colors of le drapeau français.Tatoeba #3258696 by Aiji, translation #453397 by saasmath
- Le drapeau français est bleu, blanc et rouge.The French flag is blue, white and red.Tatoeba #386843 by Pharamp, translation #34184 by CK
- Lors de la cérémonie officielle, le drapeau français a été hissé au sommet du mât.During the official ceremony, the French flag was raised at the top of the pole.
- Le Président a salué la foule depuis le balcon, baigné par les couleurs du tricolore.The President greeted the crowd from the balcony, bathed in the colors of the tricolor.
- À l'occasion d'un match de football, les supporters agitent fièrement le tricolore français.During a football match, the fans proudly wave the French tricolor.
- Lors de la cérémonie commémorative, le maire a déposé une gerbe de fleurs aux pieds du drapeau français.During the memorial ceremony, the mayor laid a wreath of flowers at the foot of the French flag.
- Les édifices publics sont souvent ornés du tricolore français lors des événements nationaux.Public buildings are often decorated with the French tricolor during national events.
- La fierté nationale est ancrée dans l'histoire et la symbolique du tricolore.National pride is deeply rooted in the history and symbolism of the tricolor.
- Où puis-je voir le drapeau français ?Where can I see the French flag?
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are standing in a town square in Paris.
- LucasRegarde, il y a le drapeau français sur ce bâtiment.Look, there is the French flag on that building.
- ChloéOui, il est très beau.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- LucasEst-ce que tu l'aimes ?Do you like it?
- ChloéOui, je l'adore.Yes, I love it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
