A2 noun Neutre 3 min de lecture

provisions

/pʁɔ.vi.zjɔ̃/
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Overview

The French word 'provisions' is quite versatile, carrying a similar breadth of meaning to its English counterpart, encompassing both 'groceries' and 'supplies,' as well as the more general idea of 'an amount of something supplied or provided.'

When referring to 'groceries,' 'provisions' is typically used in the plural: 'les provisions.' For example, if you're talking about going grocery shopping, you might say 'faire les provisions' or 'acheter des provisions.' This usage specifically implies food items and other household necessities. Think of it as the things you'd stock your pantry and fridge with. The term can evoke a sense of preparing for a period, ensuring you have enough food for a few days or weeks.

In the context of 'supplies,' 'provisions' can also be plural, 'les provisions,' and often carries a broader meaning. This could refer to supplies for a journey, for an event, or for a particular task. For instance, 'faire des provisions pour le voyage' would mean to gather supplies for the trip. These supplies might include food, but also other necessary items like fuel, medicine, or equipment. The nuance here is about the necessary items to sustain an activity or a group of people over a certain duration.

Beyond just groceries and general supplies, 'provisions' can also describe 'an amount of something supplied or provided.' In this sense, it can sometimes be used in the singular, though the plural is more common. For example, if a contract includes 'une provision pour imprévus,' it refers to a financial allocation or an amount set aside for unforeseen circumstances. Here, 'provision' signifies a reserved quantity or a buffer. It speaks to foresight and planning, ensuring that there is enough of a particular resource to meet potential needs.

In military or emergency contexts, 'provisions' are essential and refer to the food, water, and other necessities required for survival or operation. A ship might carry 'des provisions' for its crew for a long voyage. This usage strongly emphasizes the sustenance and essential items needed for maintaining life and function.

Finally, it's worth noting the verb 'provisionner,' which means 'to provision' or 'to supply,' reinforcing the idea of actively supplying or stocking up. So, 'provisionner un navire' would mean to supply a ship with all its necessary items. Understanding 'provisions' requires attention to context, as the exact meaning can shift depending on whether one is referring to daily household items, broader necessities for a project, or a reserved quantity of a resource.

Exemples

1

Nous devons acheter des provisions avant le week-end.

shopping

We need to buy groceries before the weekend.

2

Les provisions d'eau sont faibles en période de sécheresse.

resource management

Water supplies are low during droughts.

3

Il a fait des provisions pour l'hiver.

preparation

He stocked up for the winter.

4

Les animaux ont fait des provisions de nourriture pour l'hiver.

nature

The animals gathered food provisions for the winter.

5

Des provisions ont été larguées aux sinistrés.

humanitarian aid

Supplies were air-dropped to the disaster victims.

Collocations courantes

faire des provisions
provisions de bouche
grandes provisions
petites provisions

Souvent confondu avec

provisions vs w

80+ WORDS

Modèles grammaticaux

p1 p2 p3

How to Use It

Notes d'usage

The word "provisions" in French is a feminine plural noun. It is most commonly used in the plural form, "les provisions," even when referring to a singular collection of supplies. For example, one would say "faire les provisions" (to do the shopping for provisions) rather than "faire la provision." While it can refer to any essential supplies, its primary and most frequent use is in the context of food and drink. You might hear phrases like "des provisions de bouche" (food provisions) or "des provisions de vin" (wine provisions). It can also be used in a more abstract sense, though less commonly, to refer to intellectual or emotional resources, e.g., "faire des provisions de courage" (to store up courage). When talking about a single item from a stock, you would typically use a more specific word, e.g., "un aliment" (a food item) rather than "une provision." The verb associated with gathering provisions is "faire ses provisions" (to gather one's provisions or to do one's shopping for provisions). The nuance between 'groceries' and 'provisions' in English is important here; 'provisions' in French aligns more closely with the idea of 'stockpiling' or 'laying in supplies' rather than just a routine trip to the supermarket.

Erreurs courantes

A common mistake might be confusing 'provisions' with the English word 'provisions' which can also mean supplies, but the French word specifically refers to groceries. Another common error for English speakers could be mispronouncing it by over-emphasizing the 's' at the end, when in French, the 's' is typically silent, making it sound more like 'pro-vee-zion'. Additionally, people might mistakenly use it in contexts where 'supply' or 'stock' would be more appropriate in English, but 'provisions' in French often carries that broader sense of general supplies, particularly food. Ensure you remember the feminine plural article 'les' when referring to 'the provisions' as it's a feminine plural noun: 'les provisions'.

Tips

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Usage in Context

The word 'provisions' is commonly used in French to refer to food supplies or general provisions needed for a household, a journey, or a specific event. It's often encountered in plural form.

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False Friends

Be careful not to confuse 'provisions' with the English word 'provisions' when it refers to legal or financial provisions. In French, 'provision' (singular) can refer to a financial advance or a reserve, but the plural 'provisions' almost exclusively refers to goods or supplies.

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Related Terms

Other related French terms include 'vivres' (food supplies, often for an army or ship), 'denrées' (foodstuffs), and 'marchandises' (goods). The choice depends on the specific context of what is being supplied or provided.

Origine du mot

The French word 'provisions' traces its roots back to Latin. It derives from the Latin verb 'providere', which means 'to foresee', 'to make ready', or 'to provide'. This verb is a combination of 'pro-' meaning 'before' or 'for', and 'videre' meaning 'to see'. From 'providere' came the Latin noun 'provisio', meaning 'foresight', 'preparation', or 'provision'. This noun then made its way into Old French as 'provision' during the 12th century. In its early usage in Old French, 'provision' referred to the act of foreseeing or making preparations, especially in a military or ecclesiastical context, often relating to the supply of necessities. Over time, the meaning expanded to encompass the actual things that are provided or supplied, particularly food and other essential goods. This semantic shift is evident by the 14th century, where 'provisions' began to be used in the sense of supplies, especially food for a journey or an army. The word was also adopted into English from Old French around the same period, retaining similar meanings related to foresight, preparation, and supplies. In English, 'provisions' similarly refers to food and other necessary supplies, particularly for a journey or a household. The plural form 'provisions' in both French and English often specifically denotes a collection of food and drink, or other necessary items, that are gathered or stored for future use. The concept of 'groceries' as a specific category of food items for a household came later, but the overarching idea of 'supplies' remains central to the word's meaning. In modern French, 'provisions' continues to carry these meanings: it can refer to the act of providing, the funds set aside for a future expense, or most commonly, the actual supplies themselves, particularly food. The connection to foresight and preparation, embedded in its Latin origin, still subtly underlies its various uses.

Contexte culturel

The French word "provisions" directly translates to "provisions" in English, and it carries a very similar meaning. It refers to a stock of necessary supplies, particularly food, that are gathered for future use. Historically, and still today in many contexts, it evokes the idea of preparing for a journey, a period of scarcity, or simply daily household needs. In France, the concept of "faire ses provisions" (to do one's shopping for provisions) is deeply embedded in the culture of meal preparation and household management. It can apply to a large stock of food bought for a week or more, or to the general supplies needed for a specific event like a picnic or a camping trip. The term might also be used in a broader sense to refer to any essential supplies beyond just food, such as medical provisions or provisions for a workshop, though food is the most common association. It doesn't carry the same casual, everyday connotation as the English 'groceries' which is more common for daily or weekly food shopping; 'provisions' in French often suggests a more substantial or deliberate stocking up.

Astuce mémo

Visualize a 'provision store' in France, filled with various supplies like baguettes, cheese, and wine. Imagine a big sign that says 'PROVISIONS' in elegant script, helping you remember the spelling and the direct translation to groceries/supplies. Think of it as a place where you 'provide' for your needs.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions

The English translation of the French word 'provisions' can vary depending on the context, but it most commonly refers to 'groceries' or 'supplies'. It can also signify 'food supplies' or 'stores' when speaking about items gathered for a journey or a period of time. In a more general sense, it refers to an amount of something supplied or provided for use.

In French, 'provisions' is often used to describe food items, especially those bought for household consumption or for a trip. For instance, you might say 'faire des provisions' which means 'to stock up on groceries' or 'to buy provisions'. It can also refer to a stock or reserve of something, not necessarily food, that is available for future use or emergencies, such as 'provisions de carburant' for fuel supplies.

Yes, in a more formal or financial context, 'provisions' can also refer to financial arrangements or amounts set aside for future expenses or liabilities. For example, 'des provisions pour risques et charges' would translate to 'provisions for risks and charges' in accounting terms. This usage is distinct from the more common meaning of groceries or supplies but is an important alternative definition.

The singular form 'provision' (without the 's') in French generally refers to a single supply or the act of supplying something. For example, 'la provision d'eau' means 'the water supply'. When used in the plural, 'provisions' often implies a collection or stock of these supplies, particularly groceries or general necessities. While related, the plural often carries the connotation of a broader collection of items compared to the singular's focus on a singular supply.

Teste-toi

fill blank

Les _____ sont essentielles pour préparer un bon repas.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Nous avons fait le plein de _____ avant de partir en camping.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Il faut vérifier les _____ dans le garde-manger.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

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