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A1 noun #6,500 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

quarantaine

Top 6,500

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Erklärung quarantaine in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'quarantaine' primarily as a way to say 'about forty'. It is very useful when you are shopping or describing a group of people but don't know the exact number. For example, if you see many apples, you can say 'une quarantaine de pommes'. You should also know that it is a feminine noun (la/une). Don't worry about the medical history yet; just focus on it as a 'big number' word. Remember to always put 'de' after it when you are counting things: 'une quarantaine de...' followed by the object. This will help you sound more like a native speaker than just using the number 'quarante' all the time.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'quarantaine' to talk about age. In French, we don't say 'in his forties' like in English. Instead, we say 'il a la quarantaine'. This is a very common way to describe someone's stage of life. You should also recognize the word in the context of health and travel, which you might see in basic news articles or travel signs. You should be able to distinguish between 'quarante' (exactly 40) and 'une quarantaine' (about 40). Practice using the preposition 'en' for medical isolation: 'être en quarantaine'. This will expand your ability to talk about personal health and social situations.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the different grammatical structures required by 'quarantaine'. You should know that 'en quarantaine' is used for isolation, 'une quarantaine de' is for quantity, and 'la quarantaine' is for age. You can also start using the word in more abstract ways, such as describing a mid-life crisis: 'la crise de la quarantaine'. You should be able to follow news reports about public health that use this term frequently. Your goal is to use the word fluently in conversation to estimate quantities or describe people without hesitating on the gender or the 'de' preposition.

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At the B2 level, you should understand the historical and cultural nuances of 'quarantaine'. You should know that it comes from the Italian 'quaranta' (forty) and originally referred to the forty days ships had to wait in port during the plague. This historical context helps you understand why the word is used in literature and history. You should also be able to use the word metaphorically, such as 'mettre quelqu'un en quarantaine' to mean social shunning or ignoring someone in a professional setting. Your vocabulary should now include related terms like 'confinement' or 'isolement', and you should be able to explain the subtle differences between them.

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At the C1 level, you should be able to use 'quarantaine' with precision in academic or professional discussions. This includes understanding its use in international law, sanitary regulations, and logistics. You should be able to analyze how the word is used in political discourse to describe the isolation of a country or a political party. You should also be familiar with literary uses of the word, where it might symbolize a character's internal state of being 'cut off' from the world. Your usage should be flawless, including the correct choice of articles and prepositions in complex, multi-clause sentences.

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At the C2 level, you possess a complete mastery of 'quarantaine' and its place in the French language. You can appreciate the word's etymological journey from medical necessity to a common numerical approximation. You are capable of using the word in all its nuances, from the most technical medical contexts to the most subtle social metaphors. You can discuss the sociolinguistic impact of the word during global events and how it has shaped public perception of health and safety. You can also play with the word in creative writing, using its various meanings to create puns or double meanings that only a near-native speaker would understand.

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quarantaine in 30 Sekunden

Quarantaine is a feminine noun primarily used for medical isolation to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
It also serves as a collective noun meaning 'about forty' or 'approximately forty' of something.
Culturally, it refers to the age of forty or the decade of being in one's forties.
Commonly used in phrases like 'en quarantaine' (in isolation) or 'une quarantaine de' (about forty).

The French word quarantaine is a fascinating noun that carries three distinct but related meanings in the French language. Primarily, it refers to a state of isolation imposed on people or animals to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This usage gained global prominence during health crises, where individuals were required to remain separated from the general population. However, its linguistic roots and everyday usage extend far beyond the walls of a hospital or a border crossing. To understand quarantaine, one must look at its mathematical heart: the number forty (quarante).

Medical Isolation: The most common modern definition refers to the sanitary measure of isolating a person, animal, or object to prevent contagion. Historically, this period lasted exactly forty days, though in modern medicine, the duration varies based on the incubation period of the specific pathogen. It is often used with the verb mettre (to put) or être (to be).

Le voyageur a dû rester en quarantaine pendant deux semaines après son retour de l'étranger.

Approximate Quantity: In everyday conversation, the suffix -aine added to a number indicates an approximate amount. Just as une douzaine means about twelve, une quarantaine means approximately forty. You might hear this at a market or when describing a crowd size. It is almost always followed by the preposition de.

Il y avait une quarantaine de personnes à la réunion ce matin.

Age Reference: When used with the definite article la, it refers to the age of forty or the period of life around that age. It carries a cultural weight, often associated with maturity or the famous 'mid-life crisis' (la crise de la quarantaine). It identifies someone as being in their forties.

Socially, the word has evolved. While its medical origins were rooted in fear and plague, its modern numerical usage is helpful for estimation. If you see a group of people and can't count them exactly but they look like a large classroom's worth, une quarantaine is your go-to word. In the professional world, specifically in logistics and international trade, you will still encounter the word in its strict sanitary sense, where goods are held in quarantaine until they are cleared by health inspectors. Understanding these three pillars—isolation, estimation, and age—is key to mastering this word.

Using quarantaine correctly requires attention to the prepositions that surround it. The grammar changes significantly depending on which of the three meanings you intend to convey. Let's break down the syntactic patterns that will make your French sound natural and precise.

The 'En' Structure for Isolation: When talking about medical isolation, we almost always use the preposition en. You don't usually say 'dans la quarantaine' for health; you say en quarantaine. Common verbs used here are être, mettre, placer, or rester.

À cause du virus, tout l'équipage du navire a été mis en quarantaine dès son arrivée au port.

The 'De' Structure for Quantity: When using the word to mean 'about forty', it functions as a collective noun. Just like 'un groupe de' or 'beaucoup de', it must be followed by de (or d' before a vowel). Note that the noun following 'de' is usually plural because you are describing a collection of things.

J'ai acheté une quarantaine de livres d'occasion lors de la braderie annuelle.

The Age Context: To describe someone's age, you can say avoir la quarantaine (to be in one's forties) or approcher de la quarantaine (to be nearing forty). Unlike English, where we say 'in his forties', French uses the definite article la to treat the age as a specific milestone.

Elle porte très bien la quarantaine et semble plus énergique que jamais.

In more advanced literary contexts, you might see quarantaine used metaphorically to describe a period of exclusion or being 'cast out'. For example, if a politician is ignored by their party, journalists might say they have been 'mis en quarantaine' (shunned or blacklisted). This metaphorical use is very powerful in political and social commentary. Always pay attention to whether the word is preceded by 'une' (quantity) or 'la' (age/specific isolation), as this is the quickest way to identify the intended meaning in a complex sentence.

To truly master quarantaine, you need to recognize the environments where it naturally appears. It isn't just a word from a dictionary; it's a word of the newsroom, the doctor's office, the dinner table, and the history book. Let's explore these real-world contexts.

News and Media: In the last few years, this word has been omnipresent in French news broadcasts. Reporters use it to describe government mandates, international travel restrictions, and hospital protocols. When a new virus variant emerges, the word quarantaine is usually the first term used by health ministers during press conferences.

Le ministre de la Santé a annoncé une quarantaine obligatoire pour tous les passagers en provenance de cette zone.

Social and Casual Conversations: Among friends, the word is frequently used to discuss age. In France, turning forty is a significant event. You will hear people talk about 'la crise de la quarantaine' (mid-life crisis) or simply use it to describe someone's appearance. It's also the standard way to estimate quantities in a casual setting, like estimating the number of guests at a wedding.

On attend une quarantaine d'invités pour le dîner de samedi soir.

Professional and Scientific Settings: In biology, agriculture, and veterinary science, quarantaine is a technical term. It refers to the period where new plants or animals are kept separate to ensure they don't carry pests or diseases. If you work in customs or shipping, you will see this word on official documentation for imported goods.

Finally, in literature and cinema, quarantaine is often used as a title or a central theme for stories involving isolation, whether literal (a plague ship) or psychological (a character feeling isolated from society). From Albert Camus' works to modern thrillers, the word evokes a sense of tension and boundary-crossing. When you hear it, pay attention to the tone: is it clinical and medical, or is it casual and numerical? The context will always guide you to the correct nuance.

Even advanced learners can stumble when using quarantaine. Because it has multiple meanings and looks similar to other words, there are several pitfalls to avoid. Let's look at the most frequent errors and how to correct them.

Confusion with 'Quarante': The biggest mistake is using 'quarantaine' when you mean exactly forty. If you have 40 euros in your pocket, say j'ai quarante euros. If you say j'ai une quarantaine d'euros, you are saying you have 'about forty', which might be 38 or 42. Use the number for precision and the noun for approximation.

Faux: Il a quarantaine ans. (Incorrect)
Juste: Il a quarante ans. (Correct)

Forgetting the Preposition 'De': When using the word for quantity, learners often forget the 'de'. You cannot say 'une quarantaine personnes'. You must say une quarantaine DE personnes. This 'de' is mandatory and connects the collective noun to the items being counted.

Faux: J'ai vu une quarantaine oiseaux. (Incorrect)
Juste: J'ai vu une quarantaine d'oiseaux. (Correct)

Gender Errors: Learners sometimes think that because 'quarante' is a number (and numbers are often treated as masculine in certain abstract contexts), 'quarantaine' might be masculine. It is always la quarantaine or une quarantaine. Never use 'le' or 'un'.

Another subtle mistake is the misapplication of 'en quarantaine' in the context of age. You cannot be 'en quarantaine' to mean you are forty years old; that phrase is strictly reserved for medical isolation. To say you are in your forties, use j'ai la quarantaine. Confusing these two can lead to some very funny (or confusing) misunderstandings where people might think you are sick instead of just celebrating a birthday!

Depending on what you want to say, quarantaine might not always be the best choice. French offers several alternatives that provide more precision or a different tone. Let's compare quarantaine with its closest cousins.

Isolement vs. Quarantaine: Isolement is a general term for being alone or separated. Quarantaine is specific to preventing disease or a fixed historical period. You might experience isolement because you live in the mountains, but you are in quarantaine because you might be sick.

Confinement vs. Quarantaine: Confinement (lockdown) usually refers to a whole population being restricted to their homes, whereas quarantaine usually refers to specific individuals who are suspected of being contagious. During the 2020 pandemic, people were in confinement, but those returning from travel were in quarantaine.

Le confinement a duré deux mois, mais ma quarantaine personnelle n'a duré que dix jours.

Environ vs. Une Quarantaine de: If you want to say 'about forty', you can also use environ quarante. Une quarantaine de is more common in spoken French and sounds slightly more natural as a collective noun. Environ is an adverb and can be used with any number, while quarantaine is a specific noun for the number forty.

When discussing age, you could say le quadragénaire (the forty-year-old person). This is more formal and specific than saying someone a la quarantaine. If you want to describe the decade of the 40s (1940s), you use les années quarante. As you can see, French is very specific about whether a word refers to a count, an age, a historical period, or a medical state. Choosing the right synonym depends entirely on which of these 'forty-based' concepts you are targeting.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word became famous in the 14th century in Venice (quaranta giorni) as a measure to prevent the Black Death. Ships had to wait 40 days before docking.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ka.ʁɑ̃.tɛn/

US /ˌkɑːrənˈtiːn/

In French, the stress is slightly more pronounced on the final syllable 'taine'.

Reimt sich auf

capitaine centaine fontaine lointaine mondaine prochaine semaine souveraine

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'u' after 'q' (it should be silent).
Forgetting the nasal 'an' sound.
Pronouncing it like the English 'quarantine' with a long 'ee' sound.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the 'de' and the feminine gender.

Sprechen 3/5

The nasal 'an' and silent 'u' can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 2/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with 'quarante'.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

quarante santé malade environ année

Als Nächstes lernen

confinement isolement cinquantaine soixantaine épidémie

Fortgeschritten

quadragénaire prophylaxie lazaret contagion

Wichtige Grammatik

Collective Nouns with '-aine'

Une dizaine, une douzaine, une vingtaine, une quarantaine.

Preposition 'de' after quantity nouns

Beaucoup de, une quarantaine de, un kilo de.

Agreement with collective nouns

Une quarantaine de personnes sont venues (plural verb is common).

Using 'avoir' for age descriptions

Il a la quarantaine (He is in his forties).

Preposition 'en' for states of being

En colère, en quarantaine, en voyage.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Il y a une quarantaine de pommes dans le panier.

There are about forty apples in the basket.

Uses 'une quarantaine de' + plural noun for approximation.

J'ai une quarantaine d'amis sur Facebook.

I have about forty friends on Facebook.

The 'de' becomes 'd'' before a vowel.

Une quarantaine d'étudiants sont dans la classe.

About forty students are in the class.

The verb 'sont' agrees with the plural concept.

Elle a acheté une quarantaine de fleurs.

She bought about forty flowers.

Feminine noun 'quarantaine' used with 'une'.

Il y a une quarantaine de voitures sur le parking.

There are about forty cars in the parking lot.

Collective noun indicating a group.

Nous avons une quarantaine de minutes avant le train.

We have about forty minutes before the train.

Used to estimate time.

Il veut une quarantaine de bonbons.

He wants about forty candies.

Simple sentence structure with 'vouloir'.

Il y a une quarantaine de pages dans ce petit livre.

There are about forty pages in this small book.

Estimation of quantity.

Mon oncle a la quarantaine.

My uncle is in his forties.

Using 'la quarantaine' to describe age.

Le chien doit rester en quarantaine.

The dog must stay in quarantine.

Preposition 'en' used for medical isolation.

Il a environ une quarantaine d'années.

He is about forty years old.

Combining 'environ' with 'quarantaine' for emphasis.

Elle approche de la quarantaine.

She is nearing forty.

Verb 'approcher' + 'de la quarantaine'.

Nous avons passé une quarantaine de jours en voyage.

We spent about forty days traveling.

Duration estimated with 'une quarantaine de'.

Le chat est en quarantaine à la douane.

The cat is in quarantine at customs.

Specific location for quarantine.

J'ai trouvé une quarantaine de clés dans le tiroir.

I found about forty keys in the drawer.

Plural noun following 'de'.

Elle a fêté sa quarantaine avec ses amis.

She celebrated her fortieth birthday with her friends.

Possessive adjective 'sa' used with the noun.

La crise de la quarantaine peut être difficile.

The mid-life crisis can be difficult.

Common idiomatic expression for mid-life.

Le village a été mis en quarantaine après l'épidémie.

The village was put in quarantine after the epidemic.

Passive voice 'a été mis en'.

Il a rassemblé une quarantaine de témoignages pour son livre.

He gathered about forty testimonies for his book.

Abstract noun 'témoignages' used with quantity.

Porter la quarantaine avec élégance est un art.

Wearing one's forties with elegance is an art.

Metaphorical use of 'porter' for age.

La durée de la quarantaine est passée à sept jours.

The duration of the quarantine has been reduced to seven days.

Noun used as the subject of the sentence.

Une quarantaine de manifestants se sont réunis devant la mairie.

About forty protesters gathered in front of the town hall.

Pronominal verb 'se sont réunis' agreeing with the group.

Il a dû respecter une quarantaine stricte à son retour.

He had to observe a strict quarantine upon his return.

Adjective 'stricte' modifying 'quarantaine'.

J'ai une quarantaine de dossiers à traiter avant ce soir.

I have about forty files to process before tonight.

Workplace context for quantity.

Le navire est resté en quarantaine au large du port.

The ship remained in quarantine off the coast of the port.

Locative expression 'au large du port'.

Il a été mis en quarantaine par ses collègues après la dispute.

He was shunned by his colleagues after the argument.

Metaphorical use meaning social exclusion.

La quarantaine des plantes importées est obligatoire pour éviter les parasites.

Quarantine of imported plants is mandatory to avoid parasites.

Technical/Scientific usage.

Une quarantaine de mesures ont été proposées par le gouvernement.

About forty measures were proposed by the government.

Abstract usage in a political context.

Le concept de quarantaine remonte à la peste noire au XIVe siècle.

The concept of quarantine dates back to the Black Death in the 14th century.

Historical reference.

Elle a franchi le cap de la quarantaine avec beaucoup de sérénité.

She crossed the threshold of forty with a lot of serenity.

Idiomatic 'franchir le cap de'.

Les autorités ont levé la quarantaine après les tests négatifs.

Authorities lifted the quarantine after negative tests.

Collocation 'lever la quarantaine'.

Une quarantaine de bénévoles ont aidé à nettoyer la plage.

About forty volunteers helped clean the beach.

Subject-verb agreement with collective noun.

La mise en quarantaine de l'économie a eu des conséquences désastreuses.

The 'quarantining' of the economy had disastrous consequences.

Highly metaphorical use for economic shutdown.

Il vit dans une sorte de quarantaine intellectuelle, loin des débats actuels.

He lives in a sort of intellectual isolation, far from current debates.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

L'efficacité de la quarantaine dépend de la coopération de la population.

The effectiveness of the quarantine depends on the population's cooperation.

Sociopolitical analysis.

Une quarantaine de chercheurs ont cosigné cet article scientifique.

About forty researchers co-signed this scientific article.

Formal academic context.

La quarantaine imposée aux voyageurs a suscité de vifs débats juridiques.

The quarantine imposed on travelers sparked heated legal debates.

Legal and administrative terminology.

Il a entamé la quarantaine avec un nouveau projet de vie ambitieux.

He entered his forties with an ambitious new life project.

Using 'la quarantaine' as a life stage.

La quarantaine médiatique de ce politicien semble toucher à sa fin.

The media blackout of this politician seems to be coming to an end.

Specific term for media shunning.

Le protocole de quarantaine a été rigoureusement appliqué par l'hôpital.

The quarantine protocol was rigorously applied by the hospital.

Professional medical terminology.

L'œuvre de cet auteur a subi une longue quarantaine avant d'être redécouverte.

This author's work underwent a long period of neglect before being rediscovered.

Metaphorical use for artistic neglect.

La quarantaine, loin d'être un exil, fut pour lui une période de création intense.

Quarantine, far from being an exile, was for him a period of intense creation.

Philosophical reflection on isolation.

Il s'agit d'une quarantaine de mesures législatives visant à réformer le code civil.

It concerns about forty legislative measures aimed at reforming the civil code.

Precise legal estimation.

La quarantaine est souvent perçue comme un miroir de nos propres peurs sociales.

Quarantine is often perceived as a mirror of our own social fears.

Sociological abstraction.

Le pays a été placé sous une quarantaine diplomatique par ses voisins.

The country was placed under a diplomatic quarantine by its neighbors.

International relations terminology.

Subir la quarantaine peut altérer la perception du temps et de l'espace.

Undergoing quarantine can alter the perception of time and space.

Psychological/Philosophical context.

La quarantaine de cet acteur a pris fin avec son dernier rôle oscarisable.

This actor's 'blacklisting' ended with his latest Oscar-worthy role.

Industry-specific metaphorical use.

L'histoire de la quarantaine est intrinsèquement liée à celle des échanges maritimes.

The history of quarantine is intrinsically linked to that of maritime trade.

Historical/Economic synthesis.

Häufige Kollokationen

mettre en quarantaine

être en quarantaine

la crise de la quarantaine

une quarantaine de

lever la quarantaine

période de quarantaine

quarantaine stricte

avoir la quarantaine

approcher de la quarantaine

protocole de quarantaine

Häufige Phrasen

En quarantaine

— To be in a state of isolation. Used for health or social exclusion.

Le patient est en quarantaine.

Une quarantaine de fois

— About forty times. Used for estimation of frequency.

Je lui ai dit une quarantaine de fois.

Franchir la quarantaine

— To turn forty years old. Often implies a life milestone.

Elle a franchi la quarantaine l'année dernière.

Sortir de quarantaine

— To finish the isolation period. Indicates freedom from restrictions.

Il est enfin sorti de quarantaine.

Une petite quarantaine

— Slightly less than forty. A way to be more precise with an estimate.

Il y a une petite quarantaine d'élèves.

Une bonne quarantaine

— At least forty, or slightly more. Used for generous estimates.

Il y a une bonne quarantaine de kilomètres.

La quarantaine rugissante

— A play on 'roaring forties', used to describe a lively age of forty.

Il vit sa quarantaine rugissante à fond.

Mise en quarantaine

— The act of placing someone in isolation. A formal noun phrase.

La mise en quarantaine a été difficile.

Depuis une quarantaine d'années

— For about forty years. Used for historical duration.

Il habite ici depuis une quarantaine d'années.

Atteindre la quarantaine

— To reach the age of forty. Focuses on the achievement of age.

Atteindre la quarantaine est un cap important.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

quarantaine vs quarante

Quarante is exactly 40. Quarantaine is approximately 40.

quarantaine vs quarante-huit

A specific number (48) that sounds similar but is distinct.

quarantaine vs carême

The religious 40-day fast (Lent), which shares the same numerical origin.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Mettre en quarantaine"

— To socially boycott or ignore someone. It implies a collective decision to exclude an individual.

Après son erreur, ses amis l'ont mis en quarantaine.

informal/figurative

"La crise de la quarantaine"

— A period of emotional turmoil or change in lifestyle occurring around age 40.

Sa nouvelle moto ? C'est juste la crise de la quarantaine.

neutral

"Porter bien la quarantaine"

— To look younger than forty or to age gracefully.

Elle porte vraiment bien la quarantaine.

neutral

"Franchir le cap de la quarantaine"

— To pass the significant milestone of turning forty.

Il a franchi le cap de la quarantaine avec sérénité.

neutral

"Être au ban / en quarantaine"

— To be excluded from a specific group or society.

Le diplomate a été mis en quarantaine par la communauté internationale.

formal

"La quarantaine glorieuse"

— A positive view of being forty, implying success and health.

Elle entame sa quarantaine glorieuse.

literary

"Une quarantaine de balais"

— Slang for being about forty years old (balais = years).

Il a une quarantaine de balais, ce mec.

slang

"Rester sur sa quarantaine"

— To stay in one's position or to remain isolated by choice.

Il reste sur sa quarantaine et refuse de nous parler.

rare/figurative

"La quarantaine passée"

— To be over forty years old.

Une fois la quarantaine passée, on voit les choses autrement.

neutral

"Mettre ses sentiments en quarantaine"

— To suppress or isolate one's emotions.

Il a mis ses sentiments en quarantaine pour réussir sa mission.

literary

Leicht verwechselbar

quarantaine vs quarante

They look similar and both involve the number 40.

Quarante is a cardinal number (40). Quarantaine is a collective noun (about 40) or a medical state.

J'ai quarante ans (I am 40). J'ai la quarantaine (I am in my 40s).

quarantaine vs confinement

Both involve staying inside for health reasons.

Confinement is general for a population. Quarantaine is specific to potentially sick individuals.

Le confinement national vs ma quarantaine personnelle.

quarantaine vs quadragénaire

Both refer to the age of forty.

Quadragénaire is a noun for the person. Quarantaine is a noun for the state or age group.

C'est un quadragénaire vs Il a la quarantaine.

quarantaine vs isolement

Both mean being alone.

Isolement is general. Quarantaine is specifically for disease prevention or a count of 40.

L'isolement d'une maison vs La quarantaine d'un voyageur.

quarantaine vs quatorzaine

A modern term created during COVID-19.

Quarantaine is historically 40 days (or generic). Quatorzaine is specifically 14 days.

On a réduit la quarantaine à une quatorzaine.

Satzmuster

Il y a une quarantaine de [noun].

Il y a une quarantaine de chats.

[Person] a la quarantaine.

Mon père a la quarantaine.

Être mis en quarantaine pour [reason].

Il est mis en quarantaine pour sa santé.

Approcher de la quarantaine.

Elle approche de la quarantaine avec joie.

La quarantaine de [concept] a provoqué [result].

La quarantaine médiatique a provoqué sa chute.

Subir une quarantaine de [duration/type].

Subir une quarantaine de plusieurs mois.

Une quarantaine de [noun] ont [verb].

Une quarantaine d'oiseaux ont volé.

Rester en quarantaine pendant [time].

Rester en quarantaine pendant dix jours.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

quarante (the number forty)

quarantenaire (a person in their forties)

quarantième (the fortieth)

Verben

quarantainer (rare/archaic: to put in quarantine)

Adjektive

quarantième (fortieth)

quarantenaire (relating to forty years)

Verwandt

dizaine

douzaine

vingtaine

trentaine

cinquantaine

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Highly frequent, especially since 2020.

Häufige Fehler

Il a quarantaine ans. → Il a quarante ans. OR Il a la quarantaine.
You cannot use 'quarantaine' as a direct number before 'ans'. Use 'quarante' for the number or 'la quarantaine' for the state.
Une quarantaine personnes. → Une quarantaine de personnes.
Collective nouns of quantity always require 'de' before the noun they modify.
Il est dans la quarantaine. → Il est en quarantaine.
To express medical isolation, the correct preposition is 'en', not 'dans la'.
Le quarantaine est fini. → La quarantaine est finie.
Quarantaine is a feminine noun. Both the article and the past participle must agree in gender.
J'ai une quarantaine d'euro. → J'ai une quarantaine d'euros.
The noun following 'une quarantaine de' must be plural because it refers to a group of approximately forty units.

Tipps

The 'De' Rule

Always remember to use 'de' or 'd'' after 'quarantaine' when describing a quantity. 'Une quarantaine de stylos' is the only correct way to say 'about forty pens'.

Silent U

In the word 'quarantaine', the 'u' after the 'q' is completely silent. Start the word with a sharp 'K' sound, just like in 'quarante' or 'quelque'.

Approximation

Using 'une quarantaine' instead of 'quarante' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when you are guessing a number. It shows a command of nuance.

Age Etiquette

Saying 'elle a la quarantaine' is often more polite than saying 'elle a quarante ans' because it is less specific and sounds more descriptive of a life stage.

Metaphorical Use

Don't be afraid to use 'quarantaine' for social situations. If someone is being ignored by a group, 'ils l'ont mis en quarantaine' is a very evocative phrase.

Nasal Check

The middle syllable 'ran' is nasal. If you don't nasalize it, it might sound like a different word or simply be hard for natives to understand.

The Crisis

If you hear 'la crise', and the person is around 40, they are almost certainly referring to 'la crise de la quarantaine'. It's a very common cultural trope in France.

Feminine Always

Even if you are talking about forty men, the word 'quarantaine' remains feminine. 'Une quarantaine d'hommes'. The gender of the group doesn't change the gender of the noun.

Travel Pro Tip

When traveling with pets to French-speaking countries, look for signs saying 'Quarantaine' at the airport; this is where veterinary checks happen.

Link to Quarante

Always keep the number 40 in your head when you see this word. Whether it's age, quantity, or history, the number 40 is the anchor for all its meanings.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Quarante' (40) + 'In' (inside). You are kept 'inside' for '40' days. Quarant-aine.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a large number 40 shaped like a fence or a wall, with a person standing behind it in isolation.

Word Web

Santé Isolement Nombre Âge Hôpital Voyage Virus Estimation

Herausforderung

Try to use 'quarantaine' in three different sentences today: one for age, one for quantity, and one for health.

Wortherkunft

From the Old French 'quarante' (forty), which comes from the Latin 'quadraginta'. The suffix '-aine' was added to create a collective noun.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A period of forty days, specifically the forty days of Lent or the forty days of isolation for ships.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be sensitive when using 'en quarantaine' figuratively, as it can imply social exclusion or bullying.

In English, 'quarantine' is almost exclusively medical. In French, remember it is much more common for age and counting.

The movie 'Quarantine' (though the French title is often different). Albert Camus' 'La Peste' (The Plague) discusses isolation themes. The 'Roaring Forties' (Les Quarantièmes Rugissants) in maritime geography.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Medical/Health

isoler le patient
respecter la quarantaine
fin de quarantaine
test de dépistage

Shopping/Quantity

une quarantaine d'euros
une quarantaine de kilos
en prendre une quarantaine
environ quarante

Age/Social

fêter sa quarantaine
la fleur de l'âge
vieillir
anniversaire

Politics/News

mesures gouvernementales
frontières fermées
sécurité sanitaire
décret

Travel/Customs

déclarer des marchandises
contrôle vétérinaire
certificat sanitaire
importation

Gesprächseinstiege

"Est-ce que tu as déjà dû rester en quarantaine à cause d'un voyage ?"

"À ton avis, quel est le meilleur âge : la vingtaine ou la quarantaine ?"

"Si tu devais inviter une quarantaine de personnes, qui choisirais-tu ?"

"Comment penses-tu que la quarantaine a changé notre façon de vivre ?"

"Est-ce que tu connais quelqu'un qui a fait une crise de la quarantaine ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décrivez une période où vous vous êtes senti en quarantaine, même sans être malade.

Imaginez votre vie quand vous aurez la quarantaine. Que ferez-vous ?

Écrivez une liste d'une quarantaine de choses que vous aimeriez accomplir dans votre vie.

Pensez-vous que la quarantaine médicale est une mesure efficace ou trop stricte ?

Racontez une histoire sur un groupe d'une quarantaine d'oiseaux migrateurs.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, historically it did, but in modern medical use, it refers to any period of isolation required to prevent the spread of disease, regardless of the actual number of days. For quantity, it always means 'about forty'.

Yes, it is very common. 'Avoir la quarantaine' means to be in one's forties. It is a polite and natural way to describe someone's age group without being overly precise.

It is always feminine: 'la quarantaine' or 'une quarantaine'. This is true for all its meanings, whether it's age, quantity, or medical isolation.

Use 'quarante' for the exact number 40. Use 'quarantaine' for an approximate number (about 40). For example: 'Il y a quarante élèves' (Exactly 40) vs 'Il y a une quarantaine d'élèves' (About 40).

The most common way is 'la crise de la quarantaine'. It refers to the psychological changes people sometimes experience when they reach their forties.

Yes, it is frequently used in veterinary medicine and at customs for animals being imported. 'Le chien a été mis en quarantaine' is a standard sentence.

Yes, French uses the same pattern: 'une trentaine' (about 30) and 'une cinquantaine' (about 50). All of these are feminine nouns.

You should use 'en'. For example: 'être en quarantaine' or 'mettre en quarantaine'. Do not use 'dans' or 'à' in this specific medical context.

No, it is a standard, neutral word used in formal, academic, and casual French. However, it can be used in slang expressions like 'une quarantaine de balais'.

The name is historical. It comes from the Italian word for forty, because during the plague in the 14th century, ships were forced to wait for 40 days. The name stuck even though modern periods are usually shorter.

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