terrain
- Dictionary
le terrain
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., l’homme, le soleil).
1. (earth)
d. terrain
La région se distingue par son terrain rocheux et son climat chaud et sec.The region is characterized by its rocky terrain and its hot, dry climate.
2. (property)
a. land
Nous avons acheté le terrain adjacent pour y construire une grange.We bought the adjacent land to build a barn on it.
b. piece of land
Antoine compte acheter un terrain proche de la rivière.Antoine plans to buy a piece of land near the river.
c. lot
Ce terrain est trop grand. Cela représenterait trop d’entretien et de frais.This lot is too big. It would require too much maintenance and be too expensive.
3. (sports)
a. field
Un supporter a réussi à aller sur le terrain avant que la sécurité ne l’intercepte.A fan managed to get onto the field before security stopped him.
b. ground
Les joueurs se sont rassemblés sur le terrain d’entraînement.The players gathered at the training ground.
d. court
La mairie a installé des terrains de volley sur la plage.The town hall has set up volleyball courts on the beach.
e. pitch (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom.
Le terrain de rugby est flambant neuf.The rugby pitch is brand new.
a. field
Les médias ont reproché au ministre de ne pas passer assez de temps sur le terrain.The media criticized the minister for not spending enough time in the field.
5. (figurative) (topic)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. ground (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Timothée a reconnu qu’il n’était pas en terrain familier et a préféré ne pas s’exprimer sur le sujet.Timothée admitted that he wasn't on familiar ground and chose not to comment on the matter.
b. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
Ne va pas sur ce terrain ou on va encore se disputer.Don't bring that up, or we'll end up arguing again.
Ma tante s’arrange toujours pour amener la discussion sur le terrain politique.My aunt always manages to steer the conversation toward politics.
6. (figurative) (circumstances)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. ground (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Nous avons démarré la campagne en terrain hostile, dans un climat de défiance et avec des sondages très défavorables.We launched the campaign on hostile ground, amid a climate of mistrust and with very unfavorable poll numbers.
b. environment
Le système de financement actuel offre un terrain peu favorable aux expérimentations artistiques.The current funding system does not provide a very conducive environment for artistic experimentation.
Examples
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