trêve
/tʁɛv/
The English phrase "truce" is trêve in French.
trêve is a noun meaning an agreement between opposed parties. You can use trêve to refer to a truce or a ceasefire. In more specific contexts, you might use the formal term Cessez-le-feu for ceasefire or the formal phrase Pause dans les hostilités for a pause in hostilities. If you wish to suggest that people should stop arguing, you can say Mettons nos différends de côté, which means "let's put our differences aside".
Meaning: agreement between opposed parties (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/tʁɛv/
Did you know?
- The phrase trêve des confiseurs refers to a tradition in France where confectionery workers historically had a break from production. Today it is used metaphorically to describe any temporary pause in a repetitive or tedious activity.
- In French literature and history, a trêve de Dieu or 'Truce of God' referred to medieval laws that forbade fighting on certain days of the week and during holy periods.
- If you are in a hurry to stop an argument, you might hear someone say Trêve de plaisanteries!, meaning 'Enough joking around!'
Examples in context
- La trêve n'a pas duré longtemps.The truce did not last long.This sentence shows how to describe the duration of a trêve.Tatoeba #10623318 by lbdx, translation #806997 by Source_VOA
- Alors c'est de nouveau la guerre, après une si longue trêve ?Then is it war again, after so long a truce?This sentence is useful for asking if war has returned following a long trêve.Tatoeba #10515436 by lbdx, translation #357915 by lugal
- Le président a appelé à un cessez-le-feu immédiat pour mettre fin aux hostilités.The president called for an immediate ceasefire to end the hostilities.
- Les deux parties ont accepté une pause dans les hostilités afin de négocier un accord de paix.Both parties agreed to a pause in hostilities to negotiate a peace agreement.
- La communauté internationale a soutenu l'appel à une trêve entre les deux pays en conflit.The international community supported the call for a truce between the two conflicting countries.
- une trêve de Noëla Christmas truce
- Ils ont signé une trêve pour le moment.They signed a truce for the moment.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are arguing about household chores.
- GabrielArrêtons de nous disputer maintenant.Let's stop arguing now.
- LéaD'accord, je propose une trêve.Okay, I propose a truce.
- GabrielC'est accepté, on oublie tout.It's accepted, we forget everything.
- LéaMerci Gabriel, on fait la paix.Thank you Gabriel, we are at peace.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry trêve, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
