A2 noun Neutral #2,500 am häufigsten 2 Min. Lesezeit

cheval

/ʃə.val/
Jetzt üben

Overview

The French word 'cheval' (pronounced approximately 'shuh-val') is a masculine noun that translates directly to 'horse' in English. It's a fundamental word in the French lexicon, widely used in everyday conversation, literature, and various idioms.

Grammatical Gender and Number:

As a masculine noun, 'cheval' requires masculine articles and adjectives. For example, 'le cheval' (the horse) or 'un cheval' (a horse). Its plural form is irregular and is 'chevaux' (pronounced 'shuh-vo'), meaning 'horses'. This irregular pluralization is a common feature for many French nouns ending in '-al'. So, you would say 'les chevaux' (the horses) or 'des chevaux' (some horses).

Common Usage and Contexts:

'Cheval' can refer to a horse in a general sense, or to specific types of horses. For instance:

It's also central to many equestrian activities:

  • Faire du cheval / Monter à cheval: To ride a horse (literally 'to do horse' / 'to mount a horse')

Idioms and Expressions:

'Cheval' appears in numerous French idioms and expressions, enriching the language and offering insights into cultural perceptions of horses:

  • À cheval sur: Straddling, or figuratively, very strict about something (e.g., 'être à cheval sur les principes' - to be very strict about principles).
  • Un cheval de bataille: A hobbyhorse, a pet topic, or a strong argument (referring to a warhorse).
  • La fièvre de cheval: A very high fever (literally 'horse fever').
  • Sauter du coq à l'âne: To jump from one subject to another completely different one (literally 'to jump from the rooster to the donkey', but sometimes 'cheval' replaces 'âne' in similar expressions, signifying a drastic shift).
  • Donner carte blanche à quelqu'un: To give someone free rein (while not directly using 'cheval', the idea of 'rein' is very horse-related).

Several other French words are derived from 'cheval':

  • Chevalier: Knight (historically, a horseman)

* **Chevalerie:** Chivalry

  • Chevalet: Easel (literally a 'small horse', due to its resemblance to a horse's frame)
  • Chevaline: Relating to horses (adjective, often used for horse meat: 'viande chevaline')

Understanding 'cheval' goes beyond its direct translation; it involves grasping its grammatical nuances, its role in various activities, and its presence in the rich tapestry of French idioms and derived vocabulary. It's a word that truly gallops through the French language.

Beispiele

1

Le cheval galope dans le pré.

Nature, animals

The horse gallops in the meadow.

2

Elle monte à cheval tous les week-ends.

Hobbies, sports

She rides a horse every weekend.

3

Un cheval de Troie

History, metaphor

A Trojan horse

4

C'est un travail de cheval !

Idiomatic expression

It's a horse's work!

5

Les chevaux sont des animaux majestueux.

General statement

Horses are majestic animals.

Häufige Kollokationen

monter à cheval
queue de cheval
fer à cheval
sport équestre

Wird oft verwechselt mit

cheval vs w

80+ WORDS

Grammatikmuster

p1 p2 p3

So verwendest du es

'Cheval' is a masculine noun. Its plural form is 'chevaux'. When referring to a mare, the word 'jument' is used. For a foal, it's 'poulain' (male) or 'pouliche' (female). The word 'cheval' is used in various idiomatic expressions: 'à cheval' means on horseback, 'être à cheval sur les principes' means to be very strict about principles, and 'travail de cheval' refers to a strenuous task. The diminutive 'chevalet' refers to an easel or a small horse. In a culinary context, 'viande de cheval' refers to horse meat, which is consumed in some parts of France. The term 'cheval-vapeur' (horsepower) is also a direct translation used to measure engine power. Understanding these nuances helps in grasping the full spectrum of 'cheval' in French.

Häufige Fehler

Forgetting that 'cheval' is masculine and singular. The plural is 'chevaux'. Pronouncing the 'l' at the end (it's silent).

Wortherkunft

From Old French 'cheval', from Late Latin 'caballus' (work-horse, pack-horse), from Gaulish 'caballos' (horse), from Proto-Celtic '*kabalos' (horse), from Proto-Indo-European '*kap-alo-' (horse, gelding). Cognates include Spanish 'caballo', Italian 'cavallo', Portuguese 'cavalo', and Romanian 'cal'.

Kultureller Kontext

The word 'cheval' (horse) holds a significant place in French culture, often symbolizing nobility, power, and grace. Horses have been integral to French history, from their role in medieval warfare and royal ceremonies to their prominence in equestrian sports like show jumping and dressage, where France has a strong tradition. The Camargue horse, a breed native to southern France, is a powerful symbol of the region's wild and untamed landscapes. Horses are also deeply embedded in French folklore and literature, appearing in numerous tales and poems. The bond between humans and horses is celebrated, and equestrianism is seen as a refined and respected pursuit. Furthermore, phrases like 'fort comme un cheval' (strong as a horse) or 'monter sur ses grands chevaux' (to get on one's high horse) highlight the animal's pervasive presence in everyday language and idioms, reflecting its enduring cultural impact.

Merkhilfe

Visualize a 'cheval' (horse) with a chef's hat, galloping through a field, reminding you of the 'chev' sound.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

The French word for 'horse' is 'cheval'. It's a masculine noun, and its pronunciation is roughly 'shuh-val'. This word is commonly used in various contexts, from discussing farm animals to equestrian sports. Understanding the gender of French nouns like 'cheval' is important because it affects the articles and adjectives used with them.

The pronunciation of 'cheval' is quite distinct. The 'ch' sound is like the 'sh' in English 'shoe'. The 'e' is a schwa sound, similar to the 'e' in 'the' when said quickly. The 'val' part rhymes with 'pal'. So, putting it together, it sounds like 'shuh-val'. Practicing this pronunciation can help you sound more natural when speaking French.

This is an interesting one in French! The plural of 'cheval' is 'chevaux'. It's an irregular plural where the '-al' ending changes to '-aux'. The pronunciation also shifts slightly; 'chevaux' sounds like 'shuh-vo'. This irregularity is something learners often encounter, so it's a good example to remember for other words following a similar pattern.

Absolutely! 'Cheval' appears in several common French expressions. For instance, 'à cheval' means 'on horseback' or 'astride'. Another popular one is 'cheval de Troie', which refers to a 'Trojan horse'. These expressions demonstrate how the word is integrated into everyday language and often carry cultural or historical significance, enriching your understanding of the French language.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank

Le ______ mange de l'herbe.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
fill blank

J'ai vu un beau ______ dans le pré.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
fill blank

Le ______ tire la calèche.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Ergebnis: /3

Verwandte Inhalte

War das hilfreich?

Kommentare (0)

Zum Kommentieren Anmelden
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!