accident de la route
The English phrase "traffic accident" is translated into French as accident de la route.
The phrase accident de la route is the standard way to refer to a vehicular accident involving roads.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "accident of the road".
Which one should you use?
While accident de la route is the standard term, you may encounter other variations. Un accident de la circulation and un accident routier are both used to describe a traffic accident, and un accident automobile specifically refers to a car accident.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun accident is masculine, so it is preceded by the masculine article un when saying un accident de la route.
Did you know?
- In France, the term constat amiable refers to a standard joint report form that drivers fill out together after an accident de la route to agree on the facts before calling insurance.
- While accident means 'accident' in English, French uses it for sudden medical crises, such as an accident vasculaire cérébral to describe a stroke.
- The word route comes from the Latin rupta, which originally meant a 'broken way' or a path that had been cleared through obstacles.
Examples in context
- Dick a eu un accident de la route.Dick had a traffic accident.This sentence uses accident de la route to show someone having an accident.Tatoeba #12666 by sak_sm, translation #39698 by CN
- Il y a eu un accident de la route ici.A traffic accident happened there.This sentence uses accident de la route to indicate where an accident happened.Tatoeba #8676 by Sbgodin, translation #240345 by CK
- L'accident de la route l'a privé de la vue.The traffic accident deprived him of his sight.This sentence uses accident de la route to describe the consequence of an accident.Tatoeba #12463711 by lbdx, translation #290779 by CM
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are talking on the phone about a delay.
- NathanJe vais être en retard à cause d'un accident de la route.I am going to be late because of a traffic accident.
- LéaOh non, est-ce que tu vas bien ?Oh no, are you okay?
- NathanOui, je suis juste coincé dans les bouchons.Yes, I am just stuck in traffic.
- LéaD'accord, fais attention en conduisant.Okay, be careful while driving.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries accident, de, la, route, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
