Language/French/Grammar/Compound-nouns
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Learn French - What are Compound Nouns?
Definition
A compound noun ("un nom composé" in French) is a name made up of several words usually separated by dashes (-) but representing only one word. However, the general meaning of the compound name does not always depend on the distinct meanings of each word that composes it, but on the general meaning given to this name.
Examples
French Compound Noun | Translation |
---|---|
Un abat-jour | lampshade |
Un accroche-cœur | spit curl |
Un aide-comptable | an assistant accountant |
Un aide-cuisinier | an assistant cook |
un après-midi | afternoon |
un arc-en-ciel | rainbow |
un bien-aimé | beloved |
un brise-glace | icebreaker |
Un casse-noisette | a nutcracker suite |
Un casse-tête | a brainteaser |
Un cerf-volant | a kite |
Un chasse-neige | a snowplough |
Un chef-d’œuvre | a masterpiece |
Un chef-lieu | administrative centre of an arrondissement |
Un chien-guide | a guide dog |
un chou-fleur | cauliflower |
un coffre-fort | safe |
Un coffre-fort | a strongbox |
un couvre-lit | bedspread |
un en-tête | heading |
un grand-père | grandfather |
un gratte-ciel | skyscraper |
un haut-parleur | loudspeaker |
un laissez-passer | pass(es) |
Un loup-garou | a werewolf |
Un mandat-poste | a money order |
Un marteau-pilon | a drop hammer |
Un micro-ordinateur | a microcomputer |
un nouveau-né | newborn |
un oiseau-mouche | hummingbird |
un pied-plat | boor |
un porte-monnaie | change purse |
un sourd-muet | deaf-mute |
un soutien-gorge | bra |
un va-et-vient | comings and goings |
une arrière-cour | backyard |
une contre-offensive | counter-offensive |
une douce-amère | woody nightshade |