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A2 noun #7,000 más común 9 min de lectura

trottoir

Top 7,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos trottoir en 30 segundos

Explicación trottoir in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word trottoir is one of the first urban nouns you will learn. It is essential for basic survival in a French-speaking city. At this stage, you focus on the simple fact that a trottoir is where people walk. You learn it in the context of city descriptions: 'Dans ma ville, il y a des rues et des trottoirs.' You also learn basic safety instructions, especially if you are traveling with children: 'Marche sur le trottoir.' The grammar is simple, usually involving the definite article 'le' or the indefinite 'un'. You might also use it with basic colors or sizes: 'un petit trottoir' or 'un trottoir gris'. The goal at A1 is simply to identify this part of the street and know that it is for pedestrians. You might also hear it when someone is giving you very simple directions: 'Tournez à droite après le trottoir'. It's about building the foundation of your city vocabulary so you can navigate safely and describe your surroundings in a basic way.

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At the A2 level, your use of trottoir becomes more descriptive and integrated into daily routines. You can talk about what you do on the sidewalk, such as meeting a friend or waiting for a bus. You start to use prepositions more accurately: 'Je t'attends sur le trottoir d'en face.' You can also describe the condition of the sidewalk using common adjectives like 'propre' (clean), 'sale' (dirty), 'large' (wide), or 'étroit' (narrow). At this level, you might encounter the word in the context of local rules, such as not riding a bike on the sidewalk. You are able to use the word in the past tense to describe an event: 'J'ai vu un beau chien sur le trottoir ce matin.' The focus shifts from just knowing the word to using it to provide more detail about your urban environment and your movements within it. You also begin to understand that the trottoir is part of the 'quartier' (neighborhood) and contributes to its atmosphere.

By the B1 level, you can use trottoir to discuss more complex urban issues. You might talk about the accessibility of sidewalks for people with reduced mobility: 'Les trottoirs de ce quartier ne sont pas adaptés aux fauteuils roulants.' You can express opinions about city life, such as complaining about the clutter of electric scooters on the sidewalk: 'Il y a trop de trottinettes sur le trottoir, c'est agaçant.' Your vocabulary expands to include related terms like 'bordure de trottoir' (curb) or 'caniveau' (gutter). You can use the word in more sophisticated sentence structures, including conditional or relative clauses: 'Si les trottoirs étaient plus larges, on pourrait mieux circuler.' At B1, the trottoir is no longer just a path; it's a social space that you can analyze and describe in terms of its function and its impact on the community. You might also read about city improvements in local newspapers where the word trottoir appears frequently.

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At the B2 level, trottoir appears in more abstract and nuanced discussions. You can talk about the 'culture du trottoir' in French cities—how the sidewalk facilitates social interaction and the 'art de vivre'. You might discuss the history of urbanism and how the introduction of sidewalks changed the social fabric of cities like Paris under Haussmann. Your language becomes more precise, using verbs like 'encombrer' (to clutter), 'aménager' (to develop/arrange), or 'revêtir' (to pave/cover). You can also handle idiomatic expressions and understand the subtle difference between 'être sur le trottoir' (to be on the sidewalk) and more metaphorical uses. At B2, you are expected to be able to debate the pros and cons of pedestrianizing certain streets, which involves detailed descriptions of how trottoirs are used by different groups of people. You might also encounter the word in literary texts where it is used to set a specific urban mood or to describe the grit and reality of city life.

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word trottoir and its various connotations. You can appreciate its use in literature and film as a symbol of the urban experience. You might analyze how authors like Baudelaire or Zola used the trottoir to reflect the isolation or the vibrancy of the modern city. In professional contexts, such as architecture or urban sociology, you can discuss 'l'occupation du trottoir' as a political and social issue, covering topics like homelessness, street vending, or public protests. Your use of the word is flawless, and you can switch between formal and informal registers with ease. You understand the historical evolution of the word and can use it in complex metaphorical senses. For instance, you might discuss the 'trottoir' as a 'liminal space' between the private and public spheres. At C1, you are not just using the word; you are analyzing its place in the French language and culture, and you can express subtle nuances about its role in society.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of trottoir is equivalent to that of a highly educated native speaker. You can engage in high-level academic or philosophical discussions about urban space, using trottoir as a key concept in the study of 'la vie urbaine'. You are aware of the most obscure idioms and historical uses of the word. You can write sophisticated essays or reports on urban development where the trottoir is discussed in terms of its material, its legal status, its sociological impact, and its aesthetic value. You can use the word with extreme precision in creative writing, using it to evoke specific sensory details or complex emotional states. For a C2 learner, trottoir is a versatile tool that can be used to explore the deepest layers of the French urban identity. You understand the word's etymology from 'trotter' and how that history informs its current usage. You can also navigate the most sensitive linguistic areas, such as the social and historical weight of the phrase 'faire le trottoir', with complete cultural competence and sensitivity.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

trottoir en 30 segundos

A trottoir is the French word for sidewalk or pavement, used for pedestrian walking.
It is a masculine noun (le trottoir) and is essential for navigating French cities.
Commonly used with the preposition 'sur' (on the sidewalk) and verbs like 'marcher'.
It carries cultural weight in France, often hosting café terraces and being a site for 'flânerie'.

The French word trottoir is a fundamental noun in urban vocabulary, primarily referring to the paved path designated for pedestrians alongside a street or road. In English, this is most commonly translated as 'sidewalk' in the United States and 'pavement' in the United Kingdom. Understanding the word trottoir requires more than just a simple translation; it involves understanding the French urban landscape where the sidewalk serves as a vibrant stage for public life. Unlike rural paths, a trottoir is almost always an engineered structure, often elevated slightly above the 'chaussée' (the roadway) to protect walkers from vehicular traffic. Historically, the development of the trottoir in French cities, particularly Paris, was a revolutionary step in urban sanitation and safety during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Before widespread sidewalks, pedestrians shared the muddy, waste-filled streets with carriages. The introduction of the trottoir transformed the city into a place for 'la flânerie'—the art of strolling. Today, you will use this word whenever you are navigating a city, giving directions, or describing the location of a shop or a café.

Urban Infrastructure: The trottoir is the essential boundary between the private space of buildings and the public space of the road.

Attention, ne marche pas au bord du trottoir, c'est dangereux avec les voitures.

Pedestrian Safety: The height of the trottoir usually prevents cars from accidentally drifting into pedestrian zones.

Les enfants courent sur le trottoir devant l'école.

Maintenance: In many French towns, shopkeepers are traditionally responsible for sweeping the trottoir in front of their stores.

Le concierge nettoie le trottoir chaque matin à six heures.

Il y a des travaux sur le trottoir d'en face, il faut traverser la rue.

Le vélo est interdit sur le trottoir dans cette ville.

Using trottoir correctly involves mastering its gender—it is masculine (le trottoir)—and the prepositions that accompany it. Most commonly, you will use 'sur le trottoir' to indicate that someone or something is located on the sidewalk. For example, 'Je t'attends sur le trottoir' (I am waiting for you on the sidewalk). When describing movement along the sidewalk, you might say 'marcher le long du trottoir' or 'suivre le trottoir'. Verbs associated with the trottoir often include 'descendre du' (to step down from) or 'monter sur' (to step up onto). In a legal or driving context, you might hear 'chevaucher le trottoir', which means to have one's wheels partially on the sidewalk. Because the trottoir is a public space, it is also frequently used with adjectives describing its state: 'étroit' (narrow), 'large' (wide), 'encombré' (cluttered/crowded), or 'glissant' (slippery). In winter, you will often hear warnings about 'les trottoirs verglacés' (icy sidewalks).

Prepositional Use: Always use 'sur' for position and 'du' for origin when referring to the sidewalk.

Elle a posé ses sacs de courses sur le trottoir pour chercher ses clés.

Descriptive Adjectives: Use 'encombré' when there are too many people or objects like trash cans or scooters.

Le trottoir est si étroit qu'on ne peut pas marcher à deux de front.

Action Verbs: 'Balayer' (to sweep) and 'déneiger' (to clear snow) are common maintenance actions.

Il a fallu déneiger le trottoir après la tempête de cette nuit.

Faites attention en descendant du trottoir, il y a un trou.

Les parisiens se pressent sur le trottoir à l'heure de pointe.

You will hear trottoir in a multitude of everyday scenarios in France. In a bustling city like Paris, Lyon, or Marseille, the word is ubiquitous. If you are lost and ask for directions, a local might tell you, 'Suivez ce trottoir jusqu'au bout de la rue' (Follow this sidewalk to the end of the street). On the news, you might hear reports about urban planning, such as 'L'élargissement des trottoirs pour favoriser la marche' (The widening of sidewalks to encourage walking). In a more casual setting, friends might say, 'On se retrouve sur le trottoir devant le cinéma' (Let's meet on the sidewalk in front of the cinema). The word also appears in administrative contexts, such as parking regulations: 'Il est interdit de stationner sur le trottoir' (It is forbidden to park on the sidewalk). In the world of gastronomy, the 'terrasse de trottoir' is a quintessential part of French life, where people watch the world go by while sipping coffee. You will also hear it in the context of city cleanliness, often with the word 'crotte' (dog mess), as in 'Attention aux crottes de chien sur le trottoir!'—a common, if unpleasant, reality of French urban life.

Directions: People use the sidewalk as a reference point for navigation and meeting spots.

L'entrée de l'immeuble se trouve juste après le grand arbre sur le trottoir.

Social Context: The sidewalk is a place for social interaction, from brief greetings to long café conversations.

On a discuté pendant une heure sur le trottoir avant de se dire au revoir.

City Rules: Rules regarding scooters and bicycles on sidewalks are a frequent topic of public debate.

La police verbalise désormais les trottinettes électriques qui roulent sur le trottoir.

Les camions de livraison bloquent souvent le trottoir le matin.

Il y a une brocante sur le trottoir ce dimanche.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with trottoir is a 'false friend' confusion with the word 'pavement'. In British English, 'pavement' means the sidewalk, but in French, 'le pavement' usually refers to the physical material of paving stones or the act of paving. If you say 'le pavement' when you mean the sidewalk, a French person might understand you but will find it technically incorrect. Another common error is using the wrong gender; remember it is 'un trottoir' (masculine). Beginners often confuse 'sur le trottoir' with 'dans la rue'. While 'dans la rue' can generally mean outside or in the street area, 'sur le trottoir' specifically places you on the pedestrian path. Using 'dans le trottoir' is a grammatical error, as 'dans' implies being inside the material itself. Additionally, learners must be cautious with the idiom 'faire le trottoir'. While 'to do the sidewalk' might sound like a mundane task in English (perhaps sweeping it), in French, it specifically means to solicit for prostitution. Finally, don't confuse trottoir with 'passage piéton' (crosswalk). The trottoir is where you walk parallel to the road; the 'passage piéton' is where you cross it.

False Friend: Pavement: Avoid 'pavement' to mean sidewalk; use trottoir instead.

Incorrect: Je marche sur le pavement. Correct: Je marche sur le trottoir.

Preposition Confusion: Use 'sur' (on) not 'dans' (in) for the sidewalk surface.

Incorrect: Il attend dans le trottoir. Correct: Il attend sur le trottoir.

Idiomatic Risk: Never say 'je fais le trottoir' unless you are referring to sex work.

To say you are cleaning it, use: 'Je nettoie le trottoir'.

Ne confondez pas trottoir et passage pour piétons.

L'orthographe est souvent malmenée : c'est 'oi' et non 'oy'.

While trottoir is the most common term for a sidewalk, several other words describe similar pedestrian spaces depending on the context. 'Une allée' often refers to a walkway in a park or a driveway, usually lined with trees or leading to a specific destination. 'Un sentier' is a path or trail, typically in a natural or rural setting, and is rarely paved. 'Un passage' can refer to a narrow walkway between buildings or a pedestrian-only zone in a city. In very formal or technical urban planning documents, you might see 'espace piétonnier' to describe a broad area reserved for walkers. If you are in a garden, you would use 'un chemin' rather than a trottoir. Another specific term is 'le quai', which refers to the sidewalk along a river (like the Seine in Paris) or a platform at a train station. For a very small or narrow sidewalk in a rural village, some might use 'un accotement', though this usually refers to the shoulder of a road. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right environment.

Trottoir vs. Allée: Trottoir is for city streets; 'allée' is for parks or private paths.

On se promène dans l'allée du jardin, mais on marche sur le trottoir de la rue de Rivoli.

Trottoir vs. Sentier: Trottoir is urban and paved; 'sentier' is rural and natural.

Le trottoir est en béton, mais le sentier est en terre battue.

Trottoir vs. Chaussée: Trottoir is for feet; 'chaussée' is for tires.

Les voitures roulent sur la chaussée, pas sur le trottoir.

Il y a un passage piétonnier très large dans le centre historique.

Le chemin de halage est devenu un trottoir pour les promeneurs.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The first modern sidewalks in Paris were made of wood before stone and asphalt became the standard in the 19th century.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /tʁɔ.twaʁ/

US /tʁɔ.twaʁ/

The stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'twaʁ'.

Rima con

soir voir noir espoir pouvoir devoir miroir mouchoir

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'oi' like 'oy' in 'boy'. It should be 'wa'.
Using an American 'r' instead of the French guttural 'r'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 't' clearly at the beginning.
Mixing up the gender and saying 'la trottoir'.
Pronouncing the 'oi' as two separate vowels.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

The word is common and easy to recognize in text once learned.

Escritura 3/5

The 'oi' spelling can be tricky for beginners.

Expresión oral 3/5

The French 'r' and 'oi' sound require practice for English speakers.

Escucha 2/5

It is a distinct word that is usually clear in speech.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

rue marcher ville pied voiture

Aprende después

chaussée piéton passage piéton carrefour bordure

Avanzado

urbanisme flânerie aménagement bitume granit

Gramática que debes saber

Prepositions of place: 'sur' is used for surfaces like 'trottoir'.

Je pose mon sac sur le trottoir.

Gender of nouns ending in '-oir' is usually masculine.

Le trottoir, le miroir, le mouchoir.

Definite vs Indefinite articles with city features.

Il y a un trottoir (one/a) / Le trottoir est gris (the specific one).

Pluralization of nouns ending in '-r'.

Un trottoir -> des trottoirs (just add -s).

Agreement of adjectives with masculine nouns.

Le trottoir est étroit (not étroite).

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Ejemplos por nivel

Je marche sur le trottoir.

I am walking on the sidewalk.

Uses the preposition 'sur' for position.

Le trottoir est gris.

The sidewalk is gray.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Il y a un trottoir ici.

There is a sidewalk here.

Uses 'il y a' to indicate existence.

Regarde le trottoir !

Look at the sidewalk!

Imperative mood for a simple command.

C'est un grand trottoir.

It is a big sidewalk.

Uses 'c'est' for identification.

Le chien est sur le trottoir.

The dog is on the sidewalk.

Definite article 'le' with a masculine noun.

Où est le trottoir ?

Where is the sidewalk?

Simple interrogative sentence.

Le trottoir est pour les gens.

The sidewalk is for people.

Preposition 'pour' showing purpose.

Ne roule pas sur le trottoir avec ton vélo.

Don't ride on the sidewalk with your bike.

Negative imperative with 'ne... pas'.

Le trottoir est mouillé parce qu'il pleut.

The sidewalk is wet because it is raining.

Subordinate clause with 'parce que'.

Nous attendons le bus sur le trottoir.

We are waiting for the bus on the sidewalk.

Present tense with the first person plural 'nous'.

Il y a beaucoup de monde sur le trottoir aujourd'hui.

There are a lot of people on the sidewalk today.

Quantifier 'beaucoup de' with a singular noun 'monde'.

Le trottoir est très étroit dans cette petite rue.

The sidewalk is very narrow in this small street.

Adjective 'étroit' matching the masculine noun.

Elle a fait tomber ses clés sur le trottoir.

She dropped her keys on the sidewalk.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Le trottoir de gauche est plus ensoleillé.

The left sidewalk is sunnier.

Comparative 'plus... que' (implied).

Je nettoie le trottoir devant ma maison.

I am cleaning the sidewalk in front of my house.

Present tense of a regular -er verb.

Les trottoirs de Paris sont souvent encombrés par des terrasses.

Parisian sidewalks are often cluttered with terraces.

Passive voice construction.

Il est difficile de circuler sur le trottoir avec une poussette.

It is difficult to move on the sidewalk with a stroller.

Impersonal expression 'il est + adjective + de'.

La mairie a décidé d'élargir les trottoirs du centre-ville.

The city hall decided to widen the downtown sidewalks.

Infinitive phrase following a verb of decision.

Faites attention à la bordure du trottoir en garant la voiture.

Watch out for the curb when parking the car.

Prepositional phrase 'à la bordure de'.

Le trottoir était glissant à cause du verglas ce matin.

The sidewalk was slippery because of the black ice this morning.

Imparfait for description in the past.

Chaque commerçant doit balayer le trottoir devant sa boutique.

Every shopkeeper must sweep the sidewalk in front of their shop.

Modal verb 'devoir' expressing obligation.

Il y a des travaux sur le trottoir, donc nous devons traverser.

There are roadworks on the sidewalk, so we must cross.

Conjunction 'donc' showing consequence.

J'aime marcher sur le trottoir le long de la Seine.

I love walking on the sidewalk along the Seine.

Prepositional phrase 'le long de'.

L'encombrement des trottoirs par les trottinettes est un vrai problème.

The cluttering of sidewalks by scooters is a real problem.

Noun phrase acting as the subject.

Les trottoirs ont été rénovés avec des dalles de granit.

The sidewalks were renovated with granite slabs.

Passé composé in the passive voice.

Le piéton a trébuché sur une dalle mal fixée du trottoir.

The pedestrian tripped on a loose slab of the sidewalk.

Precise vocabulary: 'trébucher' and 'dalle'.

Certains trottoirs sont si larges qu'ils ressemblent à des places.

Some sidewalks are so wide they look like squares.

Consecutive clause with 'si... que'.

L'accessibilité des trottoirs est une priorité pour l'urbanisme moderne.

Sidewalk accessibility is a priority for modern urban planning.

Complex noun chains.

Le long du trottoir, les arbres apportent une ombre bienvenue.

Along the sidewalk, the trees provide welcome shade.

Position of the adverbial phrase for emphasis.

Il n'est pas rare de voir des artistes de rue sur ce trottoir.

It is not uncommon to see street artists on this sidewalk.

Double negative for nuance ('il n'est pas rare').

La délimitation entre le trottoir et la chaussée doit être claire.

The boundary between the sidewalk and the road must be clear.

Abstract noun 'délimitation'.

Le trottoir devient, à la tombée de la nuit, le théâtre d'une vie souterraine.

The sidewalk becomes, at nightfall, the theater of an underground life.

Metaphorical use of 'théâtre'.

L'aménagement des trottoirs reflète souvent la hiérarchie sociale d'un quartier.

The layout of sidewalks often reflects the social hierarchy of a neighborhood.

Subject-verb agreement with a complex subject.

Elle déambulait sur le trottoir, perdue dans ses pensées mélancoliques.

She was wandering on the sidewalk, lost in her melancholy thoughts.

Literary verb 'déambuler'.

L'usure du trottoir témoigne du passage incessant des citadins.

The wear and tear of the sidewalk bears witness to the incessant passage of city dwellers.

Personification with the verb 'témoigner'.

Le trottoir parisien est indissociable de l'image d'Épinal de la capitale.

The Parisian sidewalk is inseparable from the stereotypical image of the capital.

Use of the sophisticated term 'image d'Épinal'.

Les revendications portent sur la privatisation croissante du trottoir par les commerces.

The demands concern the increasing privatization of the sidewalk by businesses.

Verbal phrase 'porter sur'.

Il s'est arrêté net sur le trottoir, frappé par une soudaine réalisation.

He stopped dead on the sidewalk, struck by a sudden realization.

Adverbial use of 'net'.

La minéralité du trottoir contraste avec la verdure éparse des jardinières.

The mineral nature of the sidewalk contrasts with the sparse greenery of the planters.

Technical vocabulary 'minéralité'.

Le trottoir, cet entre-deux spatial, cristallise les tensions de la cohabitation urbaine.

The sidewalk, this spatial in-between, crystallizes the tensions of urban cohabitation.

Apposition and sophisticated verb 'cristalliser'.

Flâner sur le trottoir, c'est s'immerger dans le flux discontinu de l'existence citadine.

To stroll on the sidewalk is to immerse oneself in the discontinuous flow of city existence.

Infinitive as subject and philosophical tone.

L'étroitesse du trottoir contraint les passants à une chorégraphie involontaire d'esquives.

The narrowness of the sidewalk forces passersby into an involuntary choreography of dodges.

High-level metaphor 'chorégraphie d'esquives'.

Sous le bitume du trottoir gisent les strates oubliées de l'histoire de la cité.

Beneath the asphalt of the sidewalk lie the forgotten strata of the city's history.

Inversion of subject and verb for literary effect.

Le trottoir n'est plus une simple voie de passage, mais un enjeu de luttes de pouvoir.

The sidewalk is no longer a simple passageway, but a stake in power struggles.

Correlative 'ne plus... mais'.

La monotonie du trottoir rectiligne est rompue par l'irrégularité des vieux pavés.

The monotony of the rectilinear sidewalk is broken by the irregularity of the old cobblestones.

Advanced descriptive adjectives 'rectiligne' and 'irrégularité'.

Le trottoir se fait l'écho des rumeurs de la ville, amplifiant chaque pas, chaque cri.

The sidewalk echoes the city's rumors, amplifying every step, every cry.

Pronominal form 'se faire l'écho'.

Arpenter le trottoir de long en large est devenu son seul exutoire face à l'angoisse.

Pacing the sidewalk up and down has become his only outlet for anxiety.

Idiom 'de long en large' and sophisticated noun 'exutoire'.

Sinónimos

pavé chemin allée passage sentier quai accotement espace piétonnier

Antónimos

chaussée route voie express autoroute

Colocaciones comunes

bord du trottoir

monter sur le trottoir

descendre du trottoir

trottoir roulant

bordure de trottoir

balayer le trottoir

trottoir étroit

trottoir large

stationnement sur trottoir

encombrer le trottoir

Frases Comunes

Sur le trottoir d'en face

— On the sidewalk across the street. Used for giving locations.

Le magasin se trouve sur le trottoir d'en face.

Au bord du trottoir

— At the edge of the sidewalk. Often used for safety warnings.

Ne reste pas au bord du trottoir.

Le long du trottoir

— Along the sidewalk. Describes movement or position.

Il y a des arbres le long du trottoir.

Changer de trottoir

— To cross to the other side of the street. Can be literal or metaphorical.

J'ai changé de trottoir pour éviter les travaux.

Un trottoir bondé

— A crowded sidewalk. Used to describe busy city areas.

Il est difficile de marcher sur ce trottoir bondé.

Un trottoir glissant

— A slippery sidewalk. Usually due to rain or ice.

Attention, le trottoir est glissant.

Prendre le trottoir

— To step onto the sidewalk. Usually from the road.

Vite, prends le trottoir, une voiture arrive !

Suivre le trottoir

— To follow the sidewalk. Used in directions.

Suivez le trottoir jusqu'à la banque.

Nettoyer le trottoir

— To clean the sidewalk. A common urban task.

Il faut nettoyer le trottoir après la fête.

Un trottoir en travaux

— A sidewalk under construction. Common in cities.

Le trottoir en travaux nous oblige à faire un détour.

Se confunde a menudo con

trottoir vs chaussée

The road for cars. People walk on the trottoir, cars drive on the chaussée.

trottoir vs pavement

In French, this means the paving material. In English (UK), it means the sidewalk. Use 'trottoir' for the path.

trottoir vs passage piéton

The specific place where you cross the road, not the path along the road.

Modismos y expresiones

"faire le trottoir"

— To solicit for prostitution. This is a very specific and sensitive idiom.

Elle a été arrêtée parce qu'elle faisait le trottoir.

slang/sensitive

"être sur le trottoir"

— To be homeless or out on the street. Can also imply being a sex worker.

Après avoir perdu son emploi, il s'est retrouvé sur le trottoir.

informal

"battre le trottoir"

— To walk the streets for a long time, often looking for something or someone.

Il a battu le trottoir toute la nuit pour trouver un hôtel.

literary

"trottoir de café"

— The area of the sidewalk occupied by a café's tables.

On s'est installés à un trottoir de café pour observer les gens.

neutral

"le trottoir d'à côté"

— Right nearby, or on the other side of the street.

Il habite sur le trottoir d'à côté.

informal

"ramasser quelqu'un sur le trottoir"

— To help someone who is in a very bad state or homeless.

Il l'a ramassé sur le trottoir et lui a donné à manger.

informal

"un poète de trottoir"

— A street poet or someone who finds beauty in everyday city life.

C'est un véritable poète de trottoir, il observe tout.

poetic

"laisser sur le trottoir"

— To abandon someone or leave them behind.

Ils l'ont laissé sur le trottoir sans aucune explication.

metaphorical

"le trottoir des oubliés"

— A metaphorical place for people society has ignored.

Ce quartier est devenu le trottoir des oubliés.

journalistic

"un trottoir de fortune"

— A makeshift or poorly made sidewalk.

Ils ont installé un trottoir de fortune pendant les travaux.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

trottoir vs pavement

It's a false friend for British English speakers.

'Pavement' in French is the material (stones/bricks); 'trottoir' is the actual sidewalk.

Le pavement de cette place est ancien, mais le trottoir est neuf.

trottoir vs allée

Both are places to walk.

'Allée' is for parks or private paths; 'trottoir' is for public streets.

Je marche dans l'allée du parc, puis je rejoins le trottoir.

trottoir vs sentier

Both are paths.

'Sentier' is usually unpaved and in nature; 'trottoir' is paved and in the city.

Le sentier devient un trottoir quand on entre dans le village.

trottoir vs quai

Both can be sidewalks.

'Quai' is specifically next to water or a train track.

On marche sur le quai pour voir les bateaux, pas sur le trottoir.

trottoir vs chemin

General word for path.

'Chemin' is vague; 'trottoir' is a specific urban structure.

Ce chemin de terre mène au trottoir de la route principale.

Patrones de oraciones

Le [nom] est sur le trottoir.

Le chat est sur le trottoir.

C'est un [adjectif] trottoir.

C'est un petit trottoir.

Ne [verbe] pas sur le trottoir.

Ne cours pas sur le trottoir.

Je marche sur le trottoir pour [verbe].

Je marche sur le trottoir pour aller au magasin.

Il est [adjectif] de [verbe] sur le trottoir.

Il est interdit de fumer sur le trottoir.

Les trottoirs sont [adjectif] par [nom].

Les trottoirs sont bloqués par la neige.

Bien que le trottoir soit [adjectif], [phrase].

Bien que le trottoir soit étroit, il y a beaucoup de monde.

Le trottoir fait office de [nom].

Le trottoir fait office de scène pour les musiciens.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

trottinette (scooter)

trotteur (walker/trotter)

trot (trot)

Verbos

trotter (to trot/to run)

trottiner (to patter/to scurry)

Adjetivos

trotteur (used as an adjective for shoes)

Relacionado

chaussée

piéton

rue

bitume

pavé

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in urban contexts.

Errores comunes

la trottoir → le trottoir
Many learners think city words are feminine like 'la rue' or 'la ville', but 'trottoir' is masculine.
dans le trottoir → sur le trottoir
'Dans' means inside the material. You walk 'on' the surface, so use 'sur'.
je marche sur le pavement → je marche sur le trottoir
'Pavement' is a false friend; it refers to the stones themselves, not the path.
faire le trottoir (meaning cleaning) → nettoyer le trottoir
'Faire le trottoir' means prostitution. To say you are cleaning it, use 'nettoyer'.
trotoir (one 't') → trottoir
The word requires double 't' in the middle.

Consejos

Gender Memory

Associate 'trottoir' with 'un miroir' (a mirror) – both are masculine and end in '-oir'.

False Friend Warning

Never use 'pavement' for sidewalk. It’s a classic mistake that confuses French natives.

Café Culture

Remember that in France, the 'trottoir' is part of the café. If you're 'en terrasse', you're on the 'trottoir'.

The 'OI' Sound

Think of the word 'wah-wah' pedal for a guitar. That 'wa' is exactly how you say 'oi'.

Urban Context

Use 'trottoir' whenever you are in a city. If you are in the woods, use 'sentier'.

Trot like a horse

Remember the verb 'trotter' to help you remember the word 'trottoir'.

Related Words

Learn 'piéton' (pedestrian) at the same time, as they are always together.

Spelling Tip

It's 'trot' + 'toir'. Two 't's in the middle, just like 'better' in English.

Direction Clue

If you hear 'trottoir' in directions, look for the ground, not a sign.

Meeting Spot

'Sur le trottoir' is a very common place to tell someone to wait for you.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a horse 'trotting' on the 'trottoir'. The 'oi' sounds like 'walk' (wa).

Asociación visual

Imagine a long, gray path next to a busy road with a café table on it.

Word Web

piéton chaussée rue ville marcher béton bordure terrasse

Desafío

Try to describe three things you saw on the trottoir today using the word in three different sentences.

Origen de la palabra

The word 'trottoir' originates from the French verb 'trotter', which means 'to trot'.

Significado original: It originally referred to a place where horses would trot or where people would walk quickly.

Romance (French).

Contexto cultural

As mentioned, 'faire le trottoir' is an idiom for prostitution. Use it only when that specific meaning is intended. Otherwise, use 'marcher sur le trottoir' or 'nettoyer le trottoir'.

English speakers often say 'pavement' (UK) or 'sidewalk' (US). Be careful not to use the French word 'pavement' as it means the material, not the path.

The song 'Sur les trottoirs de Paris' by various artists. The 'trottoirs' of Paris are central to the photography of Robert Doisneau. In 'Les Misérables', Victor Hugo describes the gritty reality of the Parisian streets and their trottoirs.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Giving Directions

Continuez sur le trottoir.
Prenez le trottoir de droite.
Traversez au bout du trottoir.
C'est juste sur le trottoir d'en face.

Safety Instructions

Reste sur le trottoir !
Ne descends pas du trottoir.
Attention au bord du trottoir.
Marche au milieu du trottoir.

Urban Problems

Le trottoir est trop étroit.
Il y a des travaux sur le trottoir.
C'est plein de poubelles sur le trottoir.
Les vélos n'ont rien à faire sur le trottoir !

Meeting Friends

Je suis déjà sur le trottoir.
On se retrouve sur le trottoir ?
Attends-moi sur le trottoir.
Je t'ai vu sur le trottoir d'en face.

City Maintenance

Ils nettoient le trottoir.
Le trottoir est en cours de rénovation.
Il faut déneiger le trottoir.
Le trottoir est cassé ici.

Inicios de conversación

"Est-ce que les trottoirs sont larges dans ta ville ?"

"Tu préfères marcher sur le trottoir ou dans les parcs ?"

"Que penses-tu des vélos qui roulent sur le trottoir ?"

"Est-ce qu'il y a beaucoup de terrasses sur les trottoirs chez toi ?"

"As-tu déjà trébuché sur un trottoir en ville ?"

Temas para diario

Décris ce que tu vois quand tu marches sur le trottoir de ta rue préférée.

Pourquoi les trottoirs sont-ils importants pour une ville ?

Imagine une ville sans trottoirs. Comment les gens se déplaceraient-ils ?

Raconte une rencontre intéressante que tu as faite sur un trottoir.

Quels changements ferais-tu aux trottoirs de ton quartier pour les améliorer ?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is masculine: 'le trottoir'. You say 'un trottoir' or 'ce trottoir'.

You say 'sur le trottoir'. For example: 'Je marche sur le trottoir'.

The 'trottoir' is for pedestrians (people walking), while the 'chaussée' is for vehicles (cars, buses).

No, 'pavement' in French refers to the paving stones or material. Use 'trottoir' for the sidewalk.

It is a slang idiom that means to solicit for prostitution. Avoid using it in general contexts.

Generally, no. Bicycles and electric scooters are supposed to use the road or bike lanes, though children under 8 can ride on the sidewalk.

Simply add an 's': 'les trottoirs'.

It is a 'moving walkway', like those found in large airports or some metro stations.

It comes from the verb 'trotter' (to trot), because it was originally a place for quick walking or horse movement.

Yes, it is the standard term in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, though Quebecers might also use 'trottoir' or 'bord de rue' in specific contexts.

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