le mur
The English phrase "the wall" is translated into French as le mur.
In more specific formal contexts, you might use Le mur de soutènement to refer to a retaining wall used to support soil or prevent erosion or Le mur antibruit to describe a soundproof or noise-cancelling wall often found along highways or in industrial areas. For historical contexts involving ancient city walls or fortifications, Les remparts is used.
Which one should you use?
While le mur can be used for a structural wall or a boundary wall, if you are referring to a thin partition inside a house, the term la cloison is more precise.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of le mur is les murs.
Did you know?
- The word mur shares an ancient Proto-Indo-European root with the English word 'mighty', as both stem from the idea of strength and fortification.
- French uses the word mur in the expression le mur du son to describe the sound barrier in aviation.
- The French word cloison for an interior partition wall is related to the English word 'cloister', both stemming from the idea of an enclosed or shut-in space.
Examples in context
- J'ai peint le mur.I painted the wall.This sentence shows the use of le mur in the context of painting.Tatoeba #11728042 by Aiji, translation #5927321 by mailohilohi
- Mets-la sur le mur.Put it on the wall.This sentence demonstrates how to use le mur when placing something on it.Tatoeba #6914951 by Aiji, translation #2648060 by CK
- Un tableau orne le mur.A painting adorns the wall.This sentence illustrates how le mur can be used as a surface for an adornment.Tatoeba #10371421 by lbdx, translation #10099694 by sundown
- L'architecte a spécifié que le mur devrait être construit en béton armé.The architect specified that the wall should be built with reinforced concrete.
- J'ai accroché le tableau sur le p'tit mur à côté de la fenêtre.I hung the painting on the little wall next to the window.
- 130 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is moving into a new apartment and Léa is helping him.
- LéaEst-ce que tu peux regarder le mur ?Can you look at the wall?
- GabrielOui, le mur semble très propre.Yes, the wall looks very clean.
- LéaIl est temps d'accrocher l'étagère sur le mur.It is time to hang the shelf on the wall.
- GabrielD'accord, je vais chercher le marteau.Okay, I will go get the hammer.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries le, mur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
