plancher en bois
The English phrase "wooden floor" is translated into French as plancher en bois.
The term is used to describe a floor made from planks of wood.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of plancher (floor), en (made of/in) and bois (wood).
Which one should you use?
While plancher en bois is a general description, the word parquet is more commonly used when referring specifically to decorative or patterned wooden flooring.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term for a hardwood floor is plancher de bois franc.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, add an s to the end of the first word to get planchers en bois.
Did you know?
- The word plancher is used in French financial terms to describe a 'floor' or minimum price limit in trading.
- The French word for wood, bois, originally comes from a Frankish word for 'grove' or 'bush' rather than the material itself.
- In French, the word parquet describes a specific style of wooden floor and is used in English to describe the same thing.
Examples in context
- Je veux remplacer le tapis par un plancher en bois dans ma chambre.I want to replace the carpet with a wooden floor in my bedroom.
- Nous avons installé un revêtement de sol en bois dans notre salon pour une ambiance plus chaleureuse.We installed a wooden floor covering in our living room for a warmer atmosphere.
- Dans cette vieille maison, les parquets d'origine ont été restaurés avec soin.In this old house, the original wooden floors have been meticulously restored.
- J'aime beaucoup ce plancher en bois.I really like this wooden floor.
- Le plancher en bois est très ancien.The wooden floor is very old.
- Il faut nettoyer le plancher en bois régulièrement.The wooden floor must be cleaned regularly.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are visiting a new apartment.
- LucasRegarde ce beau plancher en bois dans le salon.Look at this beautiful wooden floor in the living room.
- LéaOui, il est vraiment magnifique, Lucas.Yes, it is truly magnificent, Lucas.
- LucasEst-ce que c'est difficile à entretenir ?Is it difficult to maintain?
- LéaNon, un simple coup de balai suffit.No, a simple sweep is enough.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bois, en, plancher, CC BY-SA 4.0.
