At the A1 level, you should learn 'perron' as a simple word for 'front steps'. It is a masculine noun: 'le perron'. You can use it to describe a house. For example, 'La maison a un petit perron.' (The house has a small stoop). It is a good word to know when you are learning about parts of the house like 'la porte' (the door) or 'la fenêtre' (the window). You will mostly use it with the preposition 'sur' to say where someone is. 'Le chat est sur le perron.' (The cat is on the stoop). It is an easy word to remember because it sounds a bit like 'platform' in its function. Even though it is a specific architectural term, at this level, just think of it as the steps outside the front door. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just remember it is 'le' and it is 'outside'.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'perron' in more descriptive sentences. You should be able to talk about what people are doing there. For example, 'Nous attendons nos amis sur le perron.' (We are waiting for our friends on the stoop). You might also use adjectives to describe it, such as 'grand', 'petit', 'en pierre' (stone), or 'en bois' (wood). At this level, you are learning to give directions and describe locations more precisely. Instead of just saying someone is 'devant la maison' (in front of the house), you can say they are 'sur le perron', which is more accurate. You should also recognize that it is a common place for social interactions in French culture, like saying hello or goodbye. It is a useful word for basic storytelling about daily life and visiting people.
At the B1 level, you should understand the distinction between a 'perron', an 'escalier', and a 'porche'. You can use 'perron' in the context of describing the atmosphere of a place. For instance, in a story, you might write: 'Le perron était couvert de feuilles mortes, ce qui donnait à la maison un air abandonné.' (The stoop was covered in dead leaves, giving the house an abandoned look). You should also be familiar with the word's use in slightly more formal contexts, like at a town hall (mairie). You might hear: 'Le rendez-vous est au bas du perron de la mairie.' (The meeting is at the bottom of the town hall steps). You are now able to use more varied verbs with it, such as 'balayer' (to sweep), 's'asseoir' (to sit down), or 'accueillir' (to welcome).
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the figurative and political associations of 'perron'. You will frequently hear 'le perron de l'Élysée' in news broadcasts and should understand that it represents the official face of the French government. You can use the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as: 'Bien qu'il fît froid, ils restèrent à discuter sur le perron pendant une heure.' (Although it was cold, they stayed talking on the stoop for an hour). You should also be able to discuss architectural features with more precision, using terms like 'balustrade' or 'marches'. At this level, you can appreciate how the word is used in literature to create a sense of place and social standing. You can also distinguish between regional variations, such as how the word is used in Quebec versus France.
At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the stylistic nuances of 'perron'. You can recognize its use in classical literature (Balzac, Zola) where the perron often serves as a site of social transition or class display. You should be able to use it in sophisticated descriptions of architecture or urban planning. For example: 'L'imposant perron de pierre de taille conférait à la demeure une allure seigneuriale.' (The imposing dressed stone stoop gave the residence a lordly appearance). You should also be aware of the historical evolution of the word and its etymological roots. You can use it effortlessly in both formal writing and high-level spoken French, choosing it over 'escalier' to provide more specific visual detail and to elevate the register of your language.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of 'perron' and all its connotations. You can use it metaphorically or in highly specialized architectural discussions. You understand the subtle social protocols associated with the perron in different historical periods—who was allowed to stand where, and what that signified. You can analyze its use in film and literature as a symbolic 'liminal space'. Your vocabulary includes related rare or technical terms like 'perron à double révolution' (a double-curved staircase). You can discuss the word's role in French heritage and its iconic status in national political imagery. Your usage is flawless, whether you are writing a technical report on building restoration or a creative piece where the 'perron' serves as a central motif for a character's journey.

perron in 30 Sekunden

  • A perron is a set of outdoor steps leading to a building's entrance, often made of stone.
  • It is a masculine noun (le perron) and is used with prepositions like 'sur' and 'devant'.
  • In France, it is famously associated with the steps of the Elysée Palace where the President greets guests.
  • Commonly used to describe the front of houses, town halls, and grand architectural structures.

The French word perron refers specifically to an outdoor flight of steps, usually made of stone or masonry, that leads directly to the entrance of a building. Unlike a standard indoor staircase, which is simply called an escalier, a perron is fundamentally an architectural feature of the facade. It serves both a functional purpose—elevating the entrance to protect it from street-level debris or water—and a symbolic one, acting as a stage for arrivals and departures. You will encounter this word most frequently when describing traditional houses, town halls, or grand estates. It is not just a single step; it implies a small platform or a short series of steps that create a transition between the public street or garden and the private interior of the home.

Architectural Context
In classical French architecture, the perron is often symmetrical and may feature ornate railings or balustrades. It is the physical manifestation of the threshold.

Les invités attendaient patiemment sur le perron avant que la porte ne s'ouvre.

Socially, the perron is a place of greeting. In literature, characters often linger on the perron to say their final goodbyes or to catch a first glimpse of a visitor. It is a transitional space where the rules of the house and the rules of the street meet. If you are standing on the perron, you are at the door, but you are still outside. This distinction is crucial for understanding the nuance of the word compared to a porch or a simple doorstep.

Material Composition
A perron is almost always built from durable materials like stone, marble, or concrete, emphasizing its permanence as part of the building's foundation.

Le perron en pierre de cette mairie est particulièrement imposant.

In modern usage, while we might use 'marches' for any set of steps, 'perron' adds a touch of descriptive elegance. It evokes an image of a traditional French 'maison de maître' or a public building. It is a word that describes the very first physical contact a person has with a structure's main body.

Symbolic Usage
Politically, the 'perron de l'Élysée' is a famous location in France where the President greets foreign heads of state, making the word synonymous with high-level diplomacy.

Le président a accueilli son homologue sur le perron du palais.

Elle s'assit sur le perron pour regarder le coucher du soleil.

Le chat dort souvent sur le perron ensoleillé.

Using the word perron correctly involves understanding its role as a masculine noun and its specific spatial relationship to a building. Because it is a physical location, it is frequently paired with prepositions of place like sur (on), devant (in front of), or au bas de (at the bottom of). You don't just 'go' to a perron; you typically 'stand on' it or 'climb' it. It is the stage upon which the act of entering or exiting a house is performed.

With Verbs of Motion
Common verbs include 'monter' (to go up), 'descendre' (to go down), and 'franchir' (to cross or clear).

Il a monté les quelques marches du perron d'un pas rapide.

When describing a house, the perron often serves as the focal point of the sentence. Adjectives used with perron often describe its material, size, or state of repair. You might hear about a perron fleuri (a flower-covered stoop) or a perron délabré (a dilapidated stoop). Because it is a masculine noun, remember to use 'le', 'un', or 'ce'.

In Descriptive Writing
Writers use the perron to set a scene, often indicating the wealth or style of a character through the description of their home's entrance.

Le vieux perron en bois grinçait sous le poids des visiteurs.

Furthermore, the perron is often used in plural contexts if a building has multiple entrances, though 'les perrons' is less common than 'le perron principal'. It is almost always singular when referring to the main entrance of a single-family home. In formal contexts, such as a wedding or a funeral, the perron is where the family gathers for photographs or to receive condolences.

Prepositional Nuance
Use 'sur le perron' for the location and 'par le perron' when indicating the route taken to enter.

Nous sommes entrés dans la maison par le perron de devant.

Les enfants jouent souvent sur le perron pendant l'été.

Il a balayé la neige sur le perron ce matin.

While perron might seem like a technical architectural term, it is surprisingly common in everyday French life, particularly in rural or suburban settings where houses are more likely to have raised entrances. In cities like Paris, you will hear it in the news almost daily in a political context. The 'perron de l'Élysée' is the iconic spot where the French President greets guests. If you watch French news (like TF1 or France 2), you will see journalists reporting from the courtyard, mentioning the 'perron' as the place where ministers give statements after a cabinet meeting.

News and Media
Reporters use 'le perron' to describe the stage for official government announcements.

Le premier ministre a fait une brève déclaration sur le perron.

In literature and film, the perron is a classic setting for dramatic encounters. Think of a 19th-century novel by Balzac or Flaubert; the perron is where a carriage pulls up and a character steps out. In modern French cinema, it remains a site for intimate conversations or tense standoffs between neighbors. If you are visiting a French friend who lives in a house, they might say, 'Attends-moi sur le perron, j'arrive !' (Wait for me on the porch/steps, I'm coming!). It is a practical landmark for giving directions within a property.

Daily Conversations
Used when giving instructions or describing where someone is located outside a house.

Laisse tes chaussures sales sur le perron, s'il te plaît.

You will also find the word in real estate listings. A 'maison avec perron en pierre' sounds more appealing and prestigious than a house with just an 'entrée'. It suggests a certain architectural charm. In historical tours of castles (châteaux), the guide will undoubtedly point out the 'perron d'honneur', which was the main entrance reserved for the highest-ranking guests. Thus, the word spans from the most mundane household instruction to the highest levels of state ceremony.

Historical Tours
Guides use the term to highlight the architectural importance of a building's entrance.

Admirez la finesse des sculptures sur ce perron du XVIIe siècle.

On a posé les citrouilles sur le perron pour Halloween.

La grand-mère tricotait souvent sur son perron.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with the word perron is confusing it with other types of stairs or exterior structures. A 'perron' is not just any staircase. If the stairs are inside the building, they are an escalier. If the stairs are in a garden but don't lead to a door, they are just des marches or un escalier de jardin. Using 'perron' for an internal staircase will sound very strange to a native speaker.

Confusion with 'Escalier'
Never use 'perron' for the stairs going up to the second floor inside your house.

Incorrect: Je monte le perron pour aller dans ma chambre. (Correct: l'escalier)

Another common error is gender. 'Perron' is masculine (le perron), but many learners mistakenly treat it as feminine because it ends in a sound that they might associate with feminine words or because they confuse it with la porte (the door). Always say 'le grand perron', never 'la grande perron'. Additionally, learners often confuse it with 'porche'. While a 'porche' is a covered entrance, a 'perron' focuses on the steps themselves. A house can have a perron without a porche, and vice versa.

Confusion with 'Porche'
A 'porche' is the roofed area; a 'perron' is the platform and steps. They are related but not identical.

On s'est abrité sous le porche, mais on était debout sur le perron.

In terms of prepositions, learners sometimes use 'dans le perron' (in the perron), which is incorrect. Since it is a flat or raised surface, you are sur le perron (on the perron). Using 'dans' would imply you are somehow inside the masonry of the steps. Finally, don't confuse 'perron' with 'palier'. A 'palier' is a landing between two flights of stairs inside a building. While a perron might have a landing-like platform at the top, the term 'palier' is almost exclusively used for interior apartment buildings.

Preposition Errors
Always use 'sur' or 'devant' when referring to being at that location.

Incorrect: Il attend dans le perron. (Correct: sur le perron)

Elle a glissé sur le perron mouillé.

Le facteur a laissé le colis sur le perron.

To truly master the word perron, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related architectural terms. Each word has a specific nuance that changes the image in the listener's mind. While 'perron' is the most precise term for entrance steps, you might hear alternatives depending on the scale and formality of the building. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right word for the right context.

Perron vs. Escalier
An 'escalier' is the general term for any set of stairs. A 'perron' is a specific type of 'escalier' that is outside and at the entrance.

L'escalier est long, mais le perron n'a que trois marches.

Another related term is 'seuil' (threshold). The 'seuil' is the actual line you cross to enter, usually the wooden or metal strip at the bottom of the door frame. A 'perron' leads to the 'seuil'. Then there is the 'porche', which we mentioned earlier; it is a roofed structure. If you are in the United States, you might call this a 'stoop' or a 'front porch'. In French, if the area is large enough to sit and have dinner, it becomes a 'terrasse'.

Perron vs. Parvis
A 'parvis' is the large open square in front of a church or cathedral. A 'perron' is much smaller and attached to a house or town hall.

Le perron de la mairie donnait sur le parvis de l'église.

In some literary contexts, you might see the word 'degrés' used to mean steps. This is a bit old-fashioned but very elegant. For example, 'monter les degrés du perron' (to climb the steps of the stoop). For very grand entrances, like those of a palace, you might hear 'escalier d'honneur', which is a massive, formal staircase. However, 'perron' remains the standard, versatile term for most residential and civic entrance steps.

Perron vs. Estrade
An 'estrade' is a temporary platform or a podium inside a room. A 'perron' is a permanent exterior feature.

Le maire est monté sur l'estrade après avoir franchi le perron.

Il n'y a pas de perron, on entre de plain-pied.

Les pots de fleurs décorent magnifiquement le perron.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

In the Middle Ages, a 'perron' was also a place where justice was sometimes administered or where official proclamations were read aloud.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /pɛ.ʁɔ̃/
US /pɛ.ʁɔ̃/
The stress in French is generally on the last syllable: pe-RRON.
Reimt sich auf
maison (half-rhyme) blason raison saison horizon gazon cloisons poisons
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the 'n' at the end (it should be nasal).
  • Using an English 'r' sound.
  • Confusing the 'e' sound with 'é' (it should be open /ɛ/).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Common in literature and news, easy to recognize.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the masculine gender and correct spelling.

Sprechen 3/5

The nasal 'on' and guttural 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 2/5

Usually clear in context, especially in news reports.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

maison porte escalier pierre dehors

Als Nächstes lernen

seuil porche façade toit fenêtre

Fortgeschritten

balustrade pierre de taille fronton colonnade

Wichtige Grammatik

Nasal vowels

The 'on' in 'perron' is a nasal vowel, never pronounce the 'n'.

Masculine noun endings

Nouns ending in '-on' (like perron, camion, ballon) are typically masculine.

Preposition 'sur'

We use 'sur' for surfaces like 'le perron' or 'la terrasse'.

Adjective agreement

Le perron est 'grand' (masculine), while la porte est 'grande' (feminine).

Verbs of motion with 'être'

With 'monter' (when it means 'to go up'), we use 'être': 'Il est monté sur le perron.'

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Le chat est sur le perron.

The cat is on the stoop.

Uses 'le' (masculine) and 'sur' (on).

2

La maison a un petit perron.

The house has a small stoop.

Simple descriptive sentence with 'un'.

3

Il attend sur le perron.

He is waiting on the stoop.

Verb 'attendre' in the present tense.

4

Le perron est en pierre.

The stoop is made of stone.

'En pierre' describes the material.

5

Je suis devant le perron.

I am in front of the stoop.

Preposition 'devant' indicates location.

6

Où est le perron ?

Where is the stoop?

Interrogative sentence.

7

Le perron est joli.

The stoop is pretty.

Adjective agreement (masculine).

8

Voici le perron de ma maison.

Here is the stoop of my house.

Introduction with 'Voici'.

1

Nous avons balayé le perron ce matin.

We swept the stoop this morning.

Passé composé of 'balayer'.

2

Les enfants jouent sur le perron.

The children are playing on the stoop.

Present tense, plural subject.

3

Il y a des fleurs sur le perron.

There are flowers on the stoop.

Use of 'il y a' for existence.

4

Le perron est glissant à cause de la pluie.

The stoop is slippery because of the rain.

Adjective 'glissant' and cause 'à cause de'.

5

Elle s'assied sur le perron pour lire.

She sits on the stoop to read.

Pronominal verb 's'asseoir'.

6

Le perron de cette mairie est très grand.

The stoop of this town hall is very large.

Demonstrative adjective 'cette'.

7

N'oublie pas tes clés sur le perron !

Don't forget your keys on the stoop!

Imperative negative.

8

Le facteur pose le colis sur le perron.

The mailman puts the package on the stoop.

Present tense action.

1

Depuis le perron, on a une belle vue sur le jardin.

From the stoop, one has a beautiful view of the garden.

Preposition 'Depuis' (from/since).

2

Il a descendu le perron en courant.

He ran down the stoop.

Verb 'descendre' with 'en' + gerund.

3

Le perron était éclairé par une petite lanterne.

The stoop was lit by a small lantern.

Passive voice in the imperfect.

4

Ils ont discuté longtemps sur le perron avant de partir.

They talked for a long time on the stoop before leaving.

'Avant de' + infinitive.

5

Le perron de la vieille maison grinçait sous ses pas.

The old house's stoop creaked under his footsteps.

Imperfect tense for description.

6

Il faut réparer les marches du perron.

The steps of the stoop must be repaired.

Impersonal 'Il faut'.

7

Elle nous a accueillis chaleureusement sur son perron.

She welcomed us warmly on her stoop.

Agreement of the past participle with 'nous'.

8

Le chien attend sagement son maître sur le perron.

The dog is waiting patiently for its master on the stoop.

Adverb 'sagement'.

1

Toute la presse attendait la sortie du ministre sur le perron.

The entire press was waiting for the minister's exit on the stoop.

Collective noun 'la presse' with singular verb.

2

Le perron monumental donnait à l'édifice un aspect prestigieux.

The monumental stoop gave the building a prestigious look.

Adjective 'monumental' placement.

3

Elle se tenait sur le perron, observant les passants dans la rue.

She stood on the stoop, observing the passers-by in the street.

Present participle 'observant'.

4

Le perron, bien que rénové, conservait son charme d'antan.

The stoop, although renovated, kept its charm of yesteryear.

Concession 'bien que' + past participle.

5

Il a fallu déneiger le perron pour que les invités puissent entrer.

The stoop had to be cleared of snow so the guests could enter.

Subjunctive after 'pour que'.

6

Le perron servait de scène pour les discours officiels.

The stoop served as a stage for official speeches.

Verb 'servir de'.

7

Chaque matin, elle arrose les plantes qui bordent le perron.

Every morning, she waters the plants that line the stoop.

Relative pronoun 'qui'.

8

On ne peut pas rester sur le perron, il fait trop froid.

We can't stay on the stoop; it's too cold.

Impersonal 'on' and 'il fait'.

1

L'architecture du perron révélait l'influence du style néoclassique.

The architecture of the stoop revealed the influence of the neoclassical style.

Abstract subject 'L'architecture'.

2

Il s'attarda sur le perron, comme hésitant à franchir le seuil.

He lingered on the stoop, as if hesitating to cross the threshold.

Literary 's'attarder' and 'franchir'.

3

Le perron de l'Élysée est devenu le théâtre de nombreuses poignées de main historiques.

The Elysée stoop has become the theater of many historical handshakes.

Metaphorical use of 'théâtre'.

4

Sous le poids des siècles, la pierre du perron s'était creusée.

Under the weight of centuries, the stone of the stoop had worn down.

Pronominal 's'être creusée' in the pluperfect.

5

Les ombres s'allongeaient sur le perron à mesure que le soleil déclinait.

The shadows lengthened on the stoop as the sun declined.

Conjunction 'à mesure que'.

6

Un perron à double révolution ornait la façade sud du château.

A double-curved stoop adorned the south facade of the castle.

Technical architectural term.

7

Elle fit une apparition remarquée sur le perron, vêtue d'une robe éclatante.

She made a notable appearance on the stoop, dressed in a brilliant dress.

Past participle 'vêtue' as an adjective.

8

La solennité du moment était palpable alors qu'ils gravissaient le perron.

The solemnity of the moment was palpable as they climbed the stoop.

Verb 'gravir' (to climb solemnly).

1

Le perron, véritable limbe entre le monde extérieur et l'intimité du foyer, bruissait de secrets.

The stoop, a true limbo between the outside world and the home's intimacy, rustled with secrets.

Apposition and metaphorical language.

2

C'est sur ce perron même que furent scellés les destins de la dynastie.

It was on this very stoop that the destinies of the dynasty were sealed.

Passive voice with 'furent scellés'.

3

L'usure du perron témoignait silencieusement du passage incessant des générations.

The wear of the stoop bore silent witness to the incessant passage of generations.

Personification with 'témoignait silencieusement'.

4

Il ne restait du manoir qu'un perron décrépit, ultime vestige d'une grandeur passée.

Of the manor, only a decrepit stoop remained, the final vestige of a past grandeur.

Restrictive 'ne... que'.

5

L'ascension du perron s'apparentait à un rite initiatique pour les nouveaux membres.

The climb up the stoop was akin to an initiatory rite for new members.

Verb 's'apparenter à'.

6

Le perron, baigné par la lumière blafarde de la lune, semblait irréel.

The stoop, bathed in the pale light of the moon, seemed unreal.

Past participle 'baigné' used as an adjective.

7

Chaque fissure du perron racontait une anecdote oubliée de l'histoire locale.

Every crack in the stoop told a forgotten anecdote of local history.

Metonymy and storytelling tone.

8

Elle se posta sur le perron, tel un sentinelle veillant sur son domaine.

She stationed herself on the stoop, like a sentinel watching over her domain.

Comparison with 'tel'.

Häufige Kollokationen

monter le perron
perron en pierre
sur le perron
perron de l'Élysée
balayer le perron
descendre le perron
petit perron
perron fleuri
bas du perron
perron d'honneur

Häufige Phrasen

Accueillir sur le perron

— To greet someone at the very entrance of the home.

Elle nous a accueillis sur le perron.

S'attarder sur le perron

— To linger outside the door before entering or after leaving.

Ils se sont attardés sur le perron pour discuter.

Faire le perron

— An older or regional expression for cleaning the steps.

Elle fait son perron chaque samedi.

Rester sur le perron

— To stay outside without being invited in yet.

Ne reste pas sur le perron, entre !

Le perron de la mairie

— The steps of the town hall, a common meeting point.

On se voit sur le perron de la mairie.

Un perron de bois

— A stoop made specifically of wood, common in North America.

Son perron de bois a besoin de peinture.

Glisser sur le perron

— A common warning during winter or rain.

Attention à ne pas glisser sur le perron.

Décorer le perron

— To put ornaments or plants on the entrance steps.

Ils aiment décorer le perron pour Noël.

Le haut du perron

— The top platform of the entrance steps.

Il se tient en haut du perron.

Franchir le perron

— To cross the entrance steps to enter the building.

Il a franchi le perron d'un bond.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

perron vs porche

A porch is a covered area; a perron is just the steps and platform.

perron vs palier

A palier is an indoor landing between floors; a perron is outside.

perron vs trottoir

A trottoir is the sidewalk; a perron is part of the private building steps.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Être sur le perron"

— To be at the very beginning of a process or journey.

Nous sommes encore sur le perron de ce projet.

figurative
"Le perron de la gloire"

— The threshold of achieving great fame.

Il est sur le perron de la gloire.

literary
"Faire le pied de grue sur le perron"

— To wait for a long time at someone's door.

J'ai fait le pied de grue sur son perron pendant une heure.

informal
"Balayer devant son perron"

— A variation of 'balayer devant sa porte', meaning to mind one's own business.

Chacun devrait balayer devant son perron.

metaphorical
"Le perron des adieux"

— The place where final goodbyes are said.

Le perron des adieux était chargé d'émotion.

poetic
"Monter les marches du perron social"

— To climb the social ladder.

Il a monté les marches du perron social avec ambition.

figurative
"Un perron de fortune"

— A makeshift or temporary set of entrance steps.

Ils ont construit un perron de fortune avec des briques.

neutral
"Trôner sur le perron"

— To sit or stand on the steps in a commanding or proud way.

Le grand-père trônait sur le perron.

descriptive
"Le perron de l'histoire"

— The entry point into historical significance.

Cet événement nous place sur le perron de l'histoire.

rhetorical
"Passer par le perron"

— To enter through the formal front way.

Ici, tout le monde passe par le perron.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

perron vs escalier

Both mean stairs.

Escalier is general and usually indoor; perron is specifically outdoor entrance steps.

Je monte l'escalier vers ma chambre, mais j'attends sur le perron.

perron vs marche

Both refer to steps.

Marche is a single step; perron is the whole structure of steps.

Le perron a cinq marches.

perron vs seuil

Both are at the door.

Seuil is the threshold line; perron is the platform leading to it.

Il a franchi le perron pour arriver au seuil.

perron vs terrasse

Both are outdoor raised areas.

Terrasse is for living/sitting; perron is for entering/exiting.

On mange sur la terrasse, on entre par le perron.

perron vs balcon

Both are exterior structures.

Balcon is on an upper floor; perron is on the ground floor at the entrance.

Elle est au balcon, il est sur le perron.

Satzmuster

A1

Le [noun] est sur le perron.

Le chat est sur le perron.

A2

Il y a un [adjective] perron.

Il y a un petit perron.

B1

Il a [verb] le perron.

Il a balayé le perron.

B1

Depuis le perron, [clause].

Depuis le perron, on voit la rue.

B2

Il se tenait sur le perron pour [infinitive].

Il se tenait sur le perron pour fumer.

B2

Le perron est fait de [material].

Le perron est fait de marbre.

C1

C'est sur le perron que [clause].

C'est sur le perron que nous nous sommes rencontrés.

C2

Le perron servait de [noun] à [noun].

Le perron servait de théâtre à leurs disputes.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

pierre (often associated)
marche
escalier

Verben

emperronner (rare/archaic: to provide with a perron)

Adjektive

perronné (heraldry: having steps)

Verwandt

porche
seuil
balustrade
palier
vestibule

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in news, literature, and suburban/rural descriptions.

Häufige Fehler
  • La perron Le perron

    Perron is a masculine noun.

  • Dans le perron Sur le perron

    You stand 'on' the surface of the steps, not 'in' them.

  • L'escalier du perron (redundant) Le perron

    Perron already implies the stairs; you don't need both words.

  • Confusing perron with balcon Le perron est en bas, le balcon est en haut.

    Perron is for the entrance; balcon is for upper floors.

  • Pronouncing the 'n' Nasal 'on'

    The 'n' is silent and indicates a nasal vowel.

Tipps

Gender Tip

Remember 'Le' Perron. Most words ending in '-on' that aren't related to people are masculine.

Precision

Use 'perron' instead of 'escalier' when describing the front of a house to sound more like a native speaker.

News Context

When you hear 'le perron' on French news, look for the President in the background.

Nasal Sound

Practice the nasal 'on' by saying 'no' but without finishing the 'o' and letting the air go through your nose.

Adjectives

Pair 'perron' with materials like 'en pierre', 'en bois', or 'en marbre' for better descriptions.

Prepositions

Always use 'sur' for being on the steps and 'devant' for being in front of them.

Visual Aid

Picture a 'platform' to remember the 'on' part of 'per-ron'.

Audio Clue

Listen for the 'p' and 'r' sounds followed by the nasal 'on' in architectural documentaries.

Greetings

If someone says 'Je t'attends sur le perron', don't go inside; they are waiting outside the door.

Logic

If there are no steps, there is no perron. It is a structure, not just a location.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'PERson' standing on the 'platfORM' of the 'perron'. PER + ON = PERRON.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine the famous steps of the French President's palace (the Élysée). That grand entrance is the ultimate 'perron'.

Word Web

maison porte marches pierre entrée accueillir extérieur façade

Herausforderung

Try to describe your own home's entrance. Does it have a perron? Is it made of wood or stone? Write three sentences using 'sur le perron'.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Old French word 'perre' or 'pierre' (stone), coming from the Latin 'petra'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Originally referred to a large stone or a block of stone used as a mounting block or a seat.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral architectural term.

In the US, 'stoop' (from Dutch) is a close cultural equivalent in cities like New York. In the UK, 'front steps' is more common.

The Elysée Palace perron (Paris) The perron of the Palais Bourbon Descriptions in Balzac's 'La Comédie Humaine'

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At home

  • Laisse tes chaussures sur le perron.
  • Il y a un colis sur le perron.
  • Le perron est glissant.
  • On s'assoit sur le perron ?

In politics

  • Le discours sur le perron.
  • Accueillir un invité sur le perron.
  • La photo officielle sur le perron.
  • Quitter le perron de l'Élysée.

Architecture

  • Un perron en granit.
  • Restaurer le perron.
  • Un perron monumental.
  • Les dimensions du perron.

Socializing

  • Se dire au revoir sur le perron.
  • Attendre quelqu'un sur le perron.
  • Discuter sur le perron.
  • Fumer une cigarette sur le perron.

Weather

  • Déneiger le perron.
  • Le perron est mouillé.
  • Le soleil tape sur le perron.
  • Le perron est à l'ombre.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Est-ce que ta maison a un perron en pierre ou en bois ?"

"As-tu déjà vu le perron de l'Élysée à la télévision ?"

"Préfères-tu t'asseoir sur le perron ou dans le jardin ?"

"Est-ce qu'il est courant d'avoir un perron dans ton pays ?"

"Qu'est-ce que tu aimes mettre comme décorations sur ton perron ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décris le perron de la maison de ton enfance.

Imagine une conversation importante qui se déroule sur un perron sous la pluie.

Pourquoi le perron est-il un endroit important pour accueillir des invités ?

Écris une scène où un personnage trouve quelque chose d'insolite sur son perron.

Compare un perron moderne avec un perron d'un vieux château.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is masculine: 'le perron' or 'un perron'.

No, 'perron' is exclusively for outdoor entrance steps. Use 'escalier' for indoors.

The most common translations are 'stoop', 'front steps', or 'porch steps'.

It is a nasal vowel. Do not pronounce the 'n' sound; keep the air flowing through your nose.

Because the French President always greets foreign leaders on the steps (perron) of the Elysée Palace.

Yes, especially in North America (Quebec), but in France, it is traditionally stone.

A 'porche' has a roof; a 'perron' is just the stairs and the small platform.

Yes, it is a standard word used in daily life, literature, and news.

No, only those where the entrance is raised above ground level.

You say 'au bas du perron'.

Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence describing a cat on a stoop.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a stone stoop in front of a big house.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use the verb 'balayer' with 'perron' in the past tense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Explain where you are waiting for a friend using 'perron'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'perron' and 'glissant'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe the steps of the Elysée Palace.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'perron' in a sentence about a historical building.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a short dialogue (2 lines) about a package on the stoop.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a wooden stoop in Quebec.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'franchir' and 'perron' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a perron covered in snow.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about sitting on the stoop at sunset.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a perron with many flowers.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'perron' as a meeting point in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about an old, creaky stoop.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe the material of a perron.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'au bas du perron' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a formal sentence about a reception on a stoop.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a small, humble stoop.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'perron' in a metaphorical sense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Le perron'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I am on the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The stoop is made of stone.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Wait for me on the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'He is sweeping the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The stoop is slippery.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'There are flowers on the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The President is on the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I left the package on the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Let's sit on the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The stoop is very big.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I am cleaning the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The cat is sleeping on the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'It is a wooden stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Be careful on the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The stoop is in front of the house.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Who is on the stoop?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I see him on the stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The stoop has three steps.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Welcome to my stoop.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Le perron est blanc.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Montez sur le perron.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Il est resté sur le perron.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Le perron de la mairie.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Un perron en pierre de taille.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Balayer le perron.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Sur le perron fleuri.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Le facteur est sur le perron.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Le perron est mouillé.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Descendre le perron.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Le chat du perron.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Un petit perron de bois.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Attendez sur le perron.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Le perron est gelé.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'Une photo sur le perron.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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