cahier d'exercices
The English phrase "workbook" is translated into French as cahier d'exercices.
A cahier d'exercices refers to a book used by a student. In many educational contexts, cahier d'activités is used interchangeably with cahier d'exercices.
Meaning: book used by a student (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cahier (notebook) and d'exercices (of exercises).
Which one should you use?
You might encounter Livre d'exercices (exercise book) or Manuel d'exercices (exercise manual) in more formal contexts. In informal speech, people often use the shortened version Livre d'exos to mean "book of exercises".
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cahier is masculine, so the indefinite article used with it is un (un cahier d'exercices).
Did you know?
- The word cahier also describes a formal 'notebook' of grievances or demands, such as the cahiers de doléances used during the French Revolution.
- The word cahier is a linguistic relative of caserne, the French word for 'barracks'. Both words descended from the same Latin root referring to a group of four sheets of parchment.
- If you see the term cahier de textes in a school, it does not mean a workbook, but rather a student's diary or planner for recording assignments.
Examples in context
- D'ailleurs, tu as oublié hier ton cahier d'exercices chez moi.By the way, you forgot your workbook at my place yesterday.This sentence shows how to mention a forgotten cahier d'exercices.Tatoeba #13886820 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13886818 by Ioan_Cristian
- Es-tu absolument sûr que tu as pris ton cahier d'exercices avec toi ?Are you absolutely sure that you took your workbook with you?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has taken their cahier d'exercices with them.Tatoeba #13828020 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13828019 by Ioan_Cristian
- J'ai acheté un cahier d'exercices de françaisI bought a French workbook
- Le professeur nous a demandé d'acheter un livre d'exercicesThe teacher asked us to buy a workbook
- Le manuel d'exercices est inclus avec le coursThe workbook is included with the course
- Je vais faire mes devoirs dans mon cahier de travailI will do my homework in my workbook
- J'ai besoin d'un livre d'exos pour m'aider à apprendre le françaisI need a workbook to help me learn French
- Je trouve que le cahier d'exercices est très utile pour pratiquer la grammaire françaiseI find the workbook very useful for practicing French grammar
- Le livre d'exercices propose des activités interactives pour améliorer ma prononciationThe workbook offers interactive activities to improve my pronunciation
- Ouvre ton cahier d'exercices à la page dix.Open your workbook to page ten.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are in a library studying together.
- ManonHugo, est-ce que tu as ton cahier d'exercices ?Hugo, do you have your workbook?
- HugoOui, je l'ai dans mon sac.Yes, I have it in my bag.
- ManonParfait, on peut commencer le travail.Perfect, we can start the work.
- HugoD'accord, je sors mes affaires.Okay, I'm taking my things out.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cahier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
