At the A1 level, 'à travers les générations' might seem a bit long, but you can understand it by breaking it down. 'À travers' means 'through' or 'across.' 'Les générations' means 'the generations.' So, it means something that happens in a family over a long time, from grandparents to parents to children. You can use it to talk about simple things, like a family name or a favorite food that everyone in your family likes. Even if you don't use it in every sentence, knowing it helps you understand stories about families. Think of it as a way to say 'for a very long time in my family.' For example, if your grandmother taught your mother to cook, and your mother taught you, that recipe has traveled 'à travers les générations.' It's a beautiful way to talk about history and family love.
At the A2 level, you are starting to talk more about your past and your family traditions. 'À travers les générations' is a useful phrase for this. It helps you explain why something is important. Instead of just saying 'My family has this house for 100 years,' you can say 'This house has stayed in the family à travers les générations.' It sounds more advanced and more French. You will often see this phrase in simple history books or when people talk about their 'patrimoine' (heritage). Remember that 'générations' is plural because it involves many people over many years. You can also use it with the verb 'se transmettre' (to be passed down). For example: 'Les histoires se transmettent à travers les générations.' This means the stories go from the old people to the young people.
At the B1 level, you can use 'à travers les générations' to add depth to your descriptions of culture and society. You are now able to discuss abstract ideas like 'traditions' and 'values.' This phrase is perfect for that. It allows you to describe the continuity of a culture. For instance, when writing an essay about French culture, you might mention how 'la gastronomie française s'est affinée à travers les générations.' This shows that you understand how time and history shape society. You should also notice the difference between this and 'de génération en génération.' While both are similar, 'à travers les générations' feels a bit more formal and descriptive of the whole process. It's a great phrase to use in the 'DELF B1' speaking exam when talking about your country's traditions or your own family history.
As a B2 learner, you should be able to use 'à travers les générations' with precision and in varied contexts. Beyond family traditions, you can apply it to sociological trends, biological inheritance, or political concepts. You should understand that 'à travers' implies a movement through the 'fabric' of time. It is often used in formal arguments to justify the preservation of something—be it a language, a monument, or an environmental resource. For example, 'Nous avons la responsabilité de préserver la biodiversité à travers les générations.' You should also be comfortable using it at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. At this level, you can also compare it with 'au fil des générations' to vary your style. 'À travers' is slightly more assertive, suggesting a journey through the challenges of time, whereas 'au fil de' is more about the natural flow.
At the C1 level, you should appreciate the rhetorical power of 'à travers les générations.' It is a phrase that evokes 'la longue durée'—the concept of long-term historical structures. You might use it in a complex analysis of literature to describe how a specific motif or theme persists and transforms. It is not just about staying the same; it's about the dialectic between continuity and change. You can use it to discuss 'la mémoire collective' (collective memory) and how traumas or triumphs are processed 'à travers les générations.' In professional or academic French, this phrase serves as a bridge between data and narrative. It allows you to synthesize large spans of time into a single, cohesive movement. Your usage should be nuanced, perhaps pairing it with verbs like 'se cristalliser' (to crystallize) or 'se sédimenter' (to sediment) to describe how culture is built up over time.
For C2 learners, 'à travers les générations' is a tool for sophisticated stylistic expression. You can use it to explore the philosophical implications of time and legacy. It can be used to discuss the 'transgénérationnel'—the psychological effects that pass from ancestors to descendants. In high-level discourse, you might use it to critique or support the idea of 'progrès.' Does knowledge truly improve 'à travers les générations,' or is it merely repackaged? You should be able to use the phrase in highly formal contexts, such as an 'agrégation' essay or a keynote speech, where its resonance can be fully exploited. You might also play with the phrase, using it in ironic or subversive ways to describe the persistence of negative traits like 'la corruption' or 'les préjugés.' At this level, the phrase is a thread you can weave into a complex tapestry of thought, connecting the individual to the vast expanse of human history.
à travers les générations 30초 만에
- Refers to the continuity and transmission of heritage, values, or traits from ancestors to descendants over a long period.
- Commonly used in contexts of family history, cultural preservation, and sociological or biological inheritance.
- Functions as a temporal bridge, emphasizing that something has successfully endured the passage of time across multiple age groups.
- Often paired with verbs like 'transmettre' (transmit), 'persister' (persist), or 'évoluer' (evolve) to show movement through time.
The French expression à travers les générations is a profound and evocative phrase used to describe the continuity of traditions, values, biological traits, or historical events as they move from one age group to the next within a family or society. Literally translating to 'across the generations,' it captures the essence of temporal movement and the endurance of specific elements over time. In a linguistic sense, it functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies how an action or a state persists. It is not merely about the passage of time, but about the transmission and the link between the past, the present, and the future.
- Temporal Continuity
- This phrase is most commonly used when discussing heritage. Whether it is a secret culinary recipe, a specific craft like woodworking, or a set of moral values, 'à travers les générations' implies that the core essence has remained intact despite the changing world. It suggests a thread that binds great-grandparents to their great-grandchildren.
Cette horloge ancienne est restée dans la famille à travers les générations.
Sociologists and historians frequently employ this term to analyze trends. For instance, one might study how the French language itself has evolved à travers les générations, or how social classes maintain their status. It is a phrase that carries a certain weight and respect, often used in formal speeches, documentaries, and literature to evoke a sense of permanence and legacy. It contrasts with things that are 'éphémère' (ephemeral) or 'passager' (fleeting).
- Biological and Genetic Context
- In a scientific or medical context, the phrase is used to describe the inheritance of traits. Doctors might discuss how a specific genetic predisposition is passed down 'à travers les générations,' highlighting the inescapable link of DNA that connects ancestors to descendants.
Furthermore, the phrase is vital in cultural discussions. When we talk about 'le patrimoine culturel' (cultural heritage), we are talking about what survives 'à travers les générations.' This could include oral stories, folk songs, or even specific ways of celebrating holidays. It implies a collective memory that is nurtured and protected. The use of 'à travers' (through/across) rather than just 'pendant' (during) suggests a journey through obstacles and time, emphasizing the strength of the thing being passed down.
Les contes de fées ont survécu à travers les générations grâce à la tradition orale.
- Emotional Resonance
- There is an emotional quality to this expression. It evokes nostalgia and a sense of belonging. To say something has lasted 'à travers les générations' is to give it a badge of honor, suggesting it has stood the test of time and remains relevant to the youth of today just as it was to the elders of the past.
In summary, 'à travers les générations' is a versatile and powerful phrase. It bridges the gap between the individual and history, the family and society, and the biological and the cultural. It is used to celebrate endurance, analyze change, and honor the legacies that define who we are today.
Using à travers les générations correctly requires understanding its role as an adverbial phrase of duration and movement. It usually appears at the end of a clause or immediately following the verb it modifies. Because it describes a process that happens over a long period, it is frequently paired with verbs in the 'passé composé' to show a completed but long-lasting action, or the 'présent' to describe a continuing state.
- Verbs of Transmission
- The most common verb paired with this phrase is 'se transmettre' (to be passed down). This creates a passive or reflexive sense of movement. For example: 'Les valeurs de courage se transmettent à travers les générations.' Here, the phrase provides the temporal path for the values.
L'art de la dentelle s'est transmis à travers les générations de femmes dans ce village.
Another frequent usage involves verbs of persistence such as 'perdurer' (to endure), 'subsister' (to remain), or 'évoluer' (to evolve). When you use 'évoluer,' you are highlighting how something has changed while maintaining its core identity as it moves through time. For example, 'La langue française a évolué à travers les générations, intégrant de nouveaux mots tout en gardant sa structure.'
- Describing Heritage and Legacy
- You can also use the phrase to describe objects or properties. 'Cette maison est restée dans la famille à travers les générations.' In this case, 'à travers' acts as a bridge, showing that the ownership was never broken. It adds a layer of historical significance to the object.
In academic writing, you might see the phrase used to describe sociological cohorts. 'L'étude observe les changements de comportement électoral à travers les générations.' This usage is more analytical, treating 'generations' as data points or groups in a timeline. It is less about family and more about societal shifts.
Nous devons protéger notre environnement pour qu'il puisse être apprécié à travers les générations futures.
- Positioning in the Sentence
- While usually at the end, placing 'À travers les générations' at the beginning of a sentence adds emphasis. 'À travers les générations, notre famille a toujours valorisé l'éducation.' This front-loading highlights the importance of the timeframe and the continuity of the value being described.
Finally, consider the pluralization. 'Générations' must be plural because the concept of 'across' implies a plurality of stages. You are moving from Generation A to B to C. Using the singular 'à travers la génération' would mean something entirely different—it would mean through one specific group of people born at the same time, which is rarely what the speaker intends.
You will encounter à travers les générations in several distinct environments in the French-speaking world. It is a phrase that bridges the gap between everyday sentiment and formal discourse. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the nuance of when to deploy it yourself.
- Family Gatherings and Oral History
- The most common place is during family dinners or reunions. An elder might talk about a family secret, a piece of land, or a personality trait. 'C'est une passion qui se transmet à travers les générations chez les Dupont.' It serves as a way to ground the family's identity in a long history.
Ce bijou a été porté par toutes les mariées de notre famille à travers les générations.
In the media, specifically in documentaries about history, nature, or sociology, this phrase is a staple. Narrators use it to describe the migration of birds, the evolution of a city's architecture, or the persistence of a dialect. It provides a narrative arc that connects the past to the present, making the subject feel timeless and significant.
- Political and Social Discourse
- Politicians often use this phrase when discussing 'le pacte républicain' or environmental issues. They speak of the responsibility we have to pass on a stable country or a healthy planet 'à travers les générations.' It invokes a sense of duty that transcends current political cycles.
Literature and poetry also utilize this phrase to explore themes of mortality and legacy. A novelist might describe a character's struggle to break a cycle of poverty that has persisted 'à travers les générations.' Here, the phrase takes on a more somber, perhaps even tragic, tone, suggesting a weight that is difficult to lift.
La rancœur entre ces deux familles a perduré à travers les générations.
- Advertising and Marketing
- Luxury brands, especially watchmakers (like Patek Philippe) or wine producers, use this phrase to emphasize craftsmanship and longevity. Their marketing message is often: 'You don't just own this; you look after it for the next generation.' In French, they would say it is an object designed to live 'à travers les générations.'
Lastly, in educational settings, teachers use it to explain how knowledge is built. Science is described as a collective effort that progresses 'à travers les générations' of researchers. It helps students understand that they are part of a much larger human story.
While à travers les générations seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble on specific grammatical and semantic nuances. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your French sound much more natural and precise.
- Confusing 'À travers' with 'Par'
- Many learners try to say 'par les générations' to mean 'by the generations.' While 'par' indicates the agent of an action, 'à travers' indicates the medium or the path. If you want to say a tradition was kept alive by people over time, you use 'à travers' to emphasize the timeline, not the specific people as agents.
Incorrect: Par les générations, nous avons gardé ce secret. Correct: À travers les générations, nous avons gardé ce secret.
Another common mistake is the misuse of the preposition 'au travers de'. While 'au travers de' is often used for physical movement (like walking through a forest), 'à travers' is the standard choice for figurative and temporal movement. Using 'au travers des générations' isn't strictly 'wrong' in modern French, but it sounds slightly more clunky and is less common than the smoother 'à travers les générations.'
- Singular vs. Plural
- Learners sometimes forget to pluralize 'générations.' In English, we might say 'through the generation' if we are referring to a specific one, but the expression 'across generations' implies a plurality. In French, 'à travers la génération' would mean 'throughout that one specific generation,' which is rarely the intended meaning of the idiom.
A stylistic mistake is overusing the phrase. While it is beautiful, it is also heavy. If you are just talking about something that lasted for twenty years, 'à travers les générations' is too dramatic. Use 'au fil des ans' (over the years) or 'depuis longtemps' (for a long time) for shorter periods. Reserve 'à travers les générations' for things that truly span decades or centuries.
Incorrect for short periods: J'ai gardé ce livre à travers les générations (if you've only had it 10 years). Correct: J'ai gardé ce livre pendant dix ans.
- Prepositional Overlap
- Sometimes learners try to add 'de' after 'à travers' (e.g., 'à travers de les générations'). This is a confusion with 'au travers de.' With 'à travers,' you go directly to the article: 'à travers les...'
Lastly, ensure the context is about transmission or continuity. If you are talking about a conflict between two generations (like parents vs. children), the phrase 'à travers' is inappropriate. You should use 'entre les générations' (between generations) or 'conflit de générations' (generation gap).
To enrich your French vocabulary, it's helpful to know synonyms and related phrases that convey similar ideas of time and heritage. Depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to express, you might choose one of the following alternatives to à travers les générations.
- Au fil des générations
- This is the closest synonym. 'Au fil de' means 'along' or 'over the course of.' It suggests a smoother, more fluid progression of time. It is often used for things that change gradually, like language or customs. Example: 'La langue évolue au fil des générations.'
Les paysages se transforment au fil des générations.
If you want to emphasize the passing down aspect rather than the passage through time, you can use the verb 'transmettre' with different constructions. 'De génération en génération' is a very common idiomatic alternative. It sounds slightly more rhythmic and is frequently used when talking about family inheritance or traditions.
- De génération en génération
- This phrase focuses on the hand-off. It's like saying 'from one generation to the next.' It is very common in spoken French. Example: 'Cette recette se transmet de génération en génération.'
For more formal or academic contexts, you might use 'par-delà les générations.' The word 'par-delà' means 'beyond.' This suggests that something is so powerful or universal that it transcends the limits of time and individual lives. It is often used in philosophical or highly poetic writing.
- Depuis des lustres / Depuis toujours
- If you want to be less specific about the 'generations' and just want to say 'for a very long time,' these are good options. 'Depuis des lustres' is an idiom meaning 'for ages' (a 'lustre' is technically 5 years, but the idiom means much longer). 'Depuis toujours' means 'since forever.'
Cette tradition existe depuis toujours dans notre village.
Lastly, when talking about the future, you can use 'pour les générations à venir' (for the generations to come). This shifts the focus from the past-to-present continuity to our current responsibility toward those who will follow us. It is the standard phrase used in environmental and social sustainability discussions.
How Formal Is It?
재미있는 사실
The concept of 'génération' in French was first used in a biological sense before being applied to social cohorts in the 19th century.
발음 가이드
- Pronouncing the 's' in 'travers'. It should be silent.
- Mispronouncing the 'é' in 'générations' as 'e'.
- Forgetting the nasal sound at the end of 'générations'.
- Adding a liaison between 'travers' and 'les' (wrong).
- Pronouncing the 't' in 'générations' like 't' instead of 's' (it's 'sjɔ̃').
난이도
Easy to recognize because 'générations' is a cognate.
Requires correct use of accents and the preposition 'à travers'.
Needs good flow and silent 's' in 'travers'.
Distinctive nasal sounds make it easy to hear.
다음에 무엇을 배울까
선수 학습
다음에 배울 것
고급
알아야 할 문법
Preposition 'à travers'
On regarde à travers la fenêtre (Physical) vs À travers les générations (Figurative).
Plural of 'génération'
Une génération (Singular) vs Plusieurs générations (Plural).
Reflexive verbs for transmission
La coutume se transmet (The custom is transmitted).
Liaison and Silence
The 's' in 'travers' is silent even before 'les'.
Adverbial Placement
Usually at the end: 'Il a vécu à travers les générations.' Or beginning: 'À travers les générations, il a vécu.'
수준별 예문
Ma famille vit ici à travers les générations.
My family lives here across the generations.
A1 learners use it to show a long time.
Cette chanson voyage à travers les générations.
This song travels across the generations.
Simple verb 'voyage' with the phrase.
Le nom reste le même à travers les générations.
The name stays the same across the generations.
Using 'reste' to show continuity.
Nous aimons le chocolat à travers les générations.
We love chocolate across the generations.
Simple preference over time.
À travers les générations, nous sommes amis.
Across the generations, we are friends.
Phrase at the start for emphasis.
Cette fête continue à travers les générations.
This party/festival continues across the generations.
Using 'continue' for duration.
Le secret est gardé à travers les générations.
The secret is kept across the generations.
Passive sense of keeping a secret.
On apprend le français à travers les générations.
We learn French across the generations.
Learning as a process over time.
Les recettes de ma grand-mère passent à travers les générations.
My grandmother's recipes pass across the generations.
Using 'passent' for transmission.
Cette église a été protégée à travers les générations.
This church has been protected across the generations.
Passé composé with a passive meaning.
Les traditions de Noël changent à travers les générations.
Christmas traditions change across the generations.
Showing evolution/change.
À travers les générations, la ferme a grandi.
Across the generations, the farm has grown.
Temporal phrase modifying the growth.
Il est important de parler à travers les générations.
It is important to talk across the generations.
Infinitive construction.
Le talent pour la musique se voit à travers les générations.
A talent for music is seen across the generations.
Reflexive 'se voit' (is seen).
Cette légende est racontée à travers les générations.
This legend is told across the generations.
Passive voice for oral tradition.
Les bijoux de famille restent précieux à travers les générations.
Family jewelry remains precious across the generations.
Adjective 'précieux' maintained over time.
Le patrimoine culturel se transmet à travers les générations.
Cultural heritage is transmitted across the generations.
Formal vocabulary like 'patrimoine'.
L'influence de ce peintre a persisté à travers les générations.
This painter's influence has persisted across the generations.
Using 'persister' for lasting impact.
Les valeurs républicaines sont enseignées à travers les générations.
Republican values are taught across the generations.
Abstract concepts as the subject.
À travers les générations, les méthodes de travail ont évolué.
Across the generations, working methods have evolved.
Front-loading the phrase for impact.
On peut observer l'évolution du climat à travers les générations.
One can observe climate evolution across the generations.
Observation of long-term trends.
La solidarité familiale se renforce à travers les générations.
Family solidarity strengthens across the generations.
Reflexive verb 'se renforcer'.
Cette coutume a survécu à travers les générations malgré les guerres.
This custom survived across the generations despite wars.
Using 'survivre à travers' for resilience.
Les connaissances artisanales se perdent parfois à travers les générations.
Artisanal knowledge is sometimes lost across the generations.
Discussing the loss of heritage.
Le traumatisme historique peut se répercuter à travers les générations.
Historical trauma can ripple across the generations.
Advanced concept of 'répercuter' (to ripple/impact).
Cette entreprise a su maintenir son excellence à travers les générations.
This company has known how to maintain its excellence across the generations.
Business context: maintaining standards.
La structure sociale tend à se reproduire à travers les générations.
Social structure tends to reproduce itself across the generations.
Sociological usage of 'se reproduire'.
À travers les générations, le concept de famille a profondément changé.
Across the generations, the concept of family has deeply changed.
Analyzing conceptual shifts.
Les gènes de cette maladie se propagent à travers les générations.
The genes for this disease spread across the generations.
Scientific/medical context.
L'identité d'un peuple se forge à travers les générations de luttes.
A people's identity is forged across generations of struggle.
Metaphorical 'se forger'.
Il est fascinant de voir comment les goûts littéraires voyagent à travers les générations.
It is fascinating to see how literary tastes travel across the generations.
Complex sentence with 'il est fascinant de'.
Le respect de la nature doit être ancré à travers les générations.
Respect for nature must be anchored across the generations.
Using 'ancré' (anchored/rooted).
L'inconscient collectif se manifeste à travers les générations par des archétypes.
The collective unconscious manifests across generations through archetypes.
Jungian psychological context.
La sédimentation des savoirs à travers les générations permet le progrès scientifique.
The sedimentation of knowledge across generations allows scientific progress.
Metaphorical use of 'sédimentation'.
À travers les générations, le langage subit des mutations phonétiques imperceptibles.
Across generations, language undergoes imperceptible phonetic mutations.
Linguistic analysis context.
L'œuvre de Proust continue de résonner à travers les générations de lecteurs.
Proust's work continues to resonate across generations of readers.
Literary resonance.
La transmission du capital symbolique s'opère subtilement à travers les générations.
The transmission of symbolic capital occurs subtly across generations.
Bourdieu-inspired sociological terminology.
Les inégalités se cristallisent à travers les générations si aucune réforme n'intervient.
Inequalities crystallize across generations if no reform occurs.
Political/economic critique.
On peut tracer l'origine de ce mythe à travers les générations de conteurs.
One can trace the origin of this myth across generations of storytellers.
Historical/mythological tracing.
La pérennité de cette institution est assurée à travers les générations par sa flexibilité.
The longevity of this institution is ensured across generations by its flexibility.
Institutional analysis.
L'ontologie de l'être semble se transfigurer à travers les générations de penseurs.
The ontology of being seems to transfigure itself across generations of thinkers.
High-level philosophical discourse.
La résilience d'une culture face à l'oppression se déploie à travers les générations.
A culture's resilience in the face of oppression unfolds across generations.
Sophisticated use of 'se déployer'.
À travers les générations, le dialogue entre tradition et modernité reste une constante.
Across generations, the dialogue between tradition and modernity remains a constant.
Abstract dialectical discussion.
La fluidité des identités s'exacerbe à travers les générations dans un monde globalisé.
The fluidity of identities is exacerbated across generations in a globalized world.
Globalization and identity theory.
L'héritage immatériel se distille à travers les générations, n'en gardant que l'essence.
Intangible heritage distills across generations, keeping only the essence.
Poetic and abstract 'se distille'.
Les strates de l'histoire s'empilent à travers les générations, formant le sol de notre présent.
The strata of history pile up across generations, forming the ground of our present.
Geological metaphor for history.
Le génie humain s'exprime par intermittence à travers les générations de créateurs.
Human genius expresses itself intermittently across generations of creators.
Nuanced 'par intermittence'.
C'est à travers les générations que se joue la survie de la biodiversité planétaire.
It is across generations that the survival of planetary biodiversity is at stake.
Cleft sentence 'C'est... que...' for maximum emphasis.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
— Passed down from one generation to another. Used for recipes, stories, and skills.
Ce secret est transmis à travers les générations.
— Deeply rooted over time. Used for habits or beliefs.
Ce préjugé est ancré à travers les générations.
— Created or shaped over a long period. Used for identity or character.
Leur courage s'est forgé à travers les générations.
— To continue to exist despite the passage of time.
Quelques ruines subsistent à travers les générations.
— To have a lasting positive influence over a long time.
Son génie continue de rayonner à travers les générations.
— To be forgotten or lost as time passes.
La langue locale s'est perdue à travers les générations.
— To increase in size or importance over time.
La fortune de la famille a grandi à travers les générations.
— To undergo changes while maintaining a connection to the past.
Le village s'est transformé à travers les générations.
— To bring different age groups together.
Cette fête unit le village à travers les générations.
— To keep something safe for a very long time.
La forêt a été protégée à travers les générations.
자주 혼동되는 단어
Often used for physical passage through an object; 'à travers' is better for time.
Refers to the space or conflict *between* groups, not the passage *through* them.
Grammatically incorrect; 'pendant' is for a specific duration, not a passage through cohorts.
관용어 및 표현
— It is an innate trait that is passed down biologically or culturally.
Ils sont tous artistes ; c'est dans le sang à travers les générations.
informal— To carry on a tradition or a mission started by ancestors.
Elle porte le flambeau de la justice à travers les générations.
literary— A guiding principle or theme that connects different eras.
La quête de liberté est le fil d'Ariane à travers les générations de ce peuple.
formal— Something that is permanent and remembered for a very long time.
Leur exploit est gravé dans la pierre à travers les générations.
poetic— The heavy influence or burden of past events on the present.
Ils ressentent le poids de l'histoire à travers les générations.
neutral— A collective memory that never forgets important events.
Le village garde une mémoire de fer à travers les générations.
neutral— To survive for an incredibly long time, emphasizing both time and people.
Ce monument a traversé les âges et les générations.
literary— Referring to people who maintain essential values over time.
Ces paysans sont le sel de la terre à travers les générations.
literary— A difficult or negative legacy that is hard to escape.
La dette est un héritage de plomb à travers les générations.
formal— To create something intended to last forever.
Les cathédrales ont été bâties pour l'éternité à travers les générations.
poetic혼동하기 쉬운
Sounds like 'travers'.
'Traversée' is a noun meaning a crossing (like a boat trip), whereas 'à travers' is a preposition.
La traversée de l'Atlantique a été longue.
Starts with 'géné'.
'Générosité' means generosity, unrelated to 'génération' except for the Latin root.
Il fait preuve de beaucoup de générosité.
Starts with 'géné'.
'Général' means general (wide-ranging or a military rank).
C'est une règle générale.
The verb form of 'travers'.
'Traverser' is the action of crossing; 'à travers' is the preposition describing how.
Nous devons traverser la rue.
Related field.
'Génétique' is the study of genes; 'génération' is the group of people.
La recherche génétique avance vite.
문장 패턴
Ma famille + verbe + à travers les générations.
Ma famille chante à travers les générations.
Cette [chose] se transmet à travers les générations.
Cette montre se transmet à travers les générations.
Le patrimoine [type] persiste à travers les générations.
Le patrimoine musical persiste à travers les générations.
À travers les générations, [sujet] a su [verbe].
À travers les générations, ce peuple a su résister.
L'évolution de [concept] s'observe à travers les générations.
L'évolution des mœurs s'observe à travers les générations.
C'est à travers les générations que se forge [nom].
C'est à travers les générations que se forge l'identité nationale.
Par-delà les clivages, [chose] résonne à travers les générations.
Par-delà les clivages, son message résonne à travers les générations.
Sous l'angle de la sédimentation, [sujet] s'accumule à travers les générations.
Sous l'angle de la sédimentation, le savoir s'accumule à travers les générations.
어휘 가족
명사
동사
형용사
관련
사용법
Common in media, history, and family discussions.
-
Using 'par les générations'
→
à travers les générations
Learners often translate 'by the generations' literally, but 'à travers' is the required preposition to show the path through time.
-
Pronouncing the 's' in 'travers'
→
Silent 's'
Pronouncing the final 's' makes it sound like the verb 'traverse' or is simply incorrect in this prepositional form.
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Forgetting the accents in 'générations'
→
générations
The accents 'é' are crucial for the correct 'ay' sound in French. Without them, it looks like 'generations' in English.
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Using 'à travers la génération' (singular)
→
à travers les générations
Continuity requires multiple generations. The singular changes the meaning to 'throughout one single cohort'.
-
Using 'au travers de les générations'
→
à travers les générations
This is a grammatical mix-up. If you use 'au travers', it must be 'au travers des'. But 'à travers les' is more standard.
팁
Always Plural
Always keep 'générations' in the plural form. The concept of 'across' requires moving from one point to another, which implies multiple generations.
Pair with 'Patrimoine'
This phrase is a perfect match for the word 'patrimoine' (heritage). Use them together to sound like a native speaker discussing culture.
Silent S
Remember that the 's' in 'travers' is silent. If you pronounce it, you might be confused with the verb 'traverse' (crosses).
Accent Check
Don't forget the two acute accents in 'générations'. They are essential for both spelling and correct pronunciation.
Vary your Synonyms
In a long essay, alternate between 'à travers les générations' and 'au fil des générations' to keep your writing engaging.
Context Matters
Only use this phrase for long periods (decades or centuries). For shorter spans, use 'au fil des ans' (over the years).
Oral Tradition
In discussions about African or Indigenous cultures, use this phrase to highlight the importance of oral history.
Liaison Alert
There is no liaison between 'travers' and 'les'. The 's' remains silent. However, there is a liaison between 'les' and 'générations' only if you emphasize the plural, but usually, it's a simple /le/.
Family Tree
Visualize a family tree when you say the phrase. It helps ground the abstract concept in a physical image.
Catch the Verb
When you hear 'se transmettre', expect 'à travers les générations' or 'de génération en génération' to follow.
암기하기
기억법
Think of 'A' (Across) 'Travers' (Travel) 'Générations' (Groups). Travel across groups of people in time.
시각적 연상
Imagine a golden thread (the tradition) weaving through a line of people from an old man to a young baby.
Word Web
챌린지
Try to write three sentences about your own family using 'à travers les générations' today.
어원
From the French prepositional phrase 'à travers' (through/across) and the noun 'générations' (generations). 'Travers' comes from the Latin 'transversus' (lying across). 'Génération' comes from the Latin 'generatio', from 'generare' (to beget).
원래 의미: The literal meaning of moving through the physical space of people born at different times.
Romance (Latin-based).문화적 맥락
Be careful when using it in contexts of trauma; 'à travers les générations' can imply that pain is also passed down, which is a sensitive sociological topic.
Similar to 'across generations' or 'through the ages' in English, but with a stronger focus on the specific 'generations' as a unit of measure.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
Family Heritage
- bijoux de famille
- arbre généalogique
- secrets de famille
- maison ancestrale
History & Culture
- patrimoine mondial
- tradition orale
- évolution sociale
- mémoire collective
Science & Biology
- hérédité génétique
- traits dominants
- évolution des espèces
- prédisposition médicale
Business & Craft
- savoir-faire
- entreprise familiale
- maître artisan
- continuité de marque
Environment
- développement durable
- protection de la planète
- ressources naturelles
- héritage écologique
대화 시작하기
"Y a-t-il une tradition qui se transmet à travers les générations dans votre famille ?"
"Pensez-vous que les valeurs changent beaucoup à travers les générations ?"
"Quel objet aimeriez-vous garder à travers les générations ?"
"Comment la langue de votre pays a-t-elle évolué à travers les générations ?"
"Est-il important de préserver les vieux bâtiments à travers les générations ?"
일기 주제
Décrivez un trait de caractère qui semble persister à travers les générations dans votre famille.
Réfléchissez à une compétence (comme la cuisine ou le bricolage) que vous voulez transmettre à travers les générations.
Analysez comment la technologie a changé la façon dont nous communiquons à travers les générations.
Écrivez sur l'importance de protéger l'environnement pour les gens à travers les générations futures.
Imaginez que vous écrivez une lettre à un descendant à travers les générations.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, it is considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for academic writing, speeches, and documentaries, but also perfectly fine in a serious family conversation. For a very casual setting, 'de génération en génération' is more common.
It is rare. Using the singular would mean something happens within one specific generation (e.g., 'throughout the Baby Boomer generation'). Usually, the phrase refers to the passage of time across multiple generations, so the plural is required.
In modern French, they are often interchangeable. However, 'à travers' is more common for figurative or temporal passage, while 'au travers de' can sometimes imply overcoming an obstacle or physical passage. For this specific idiom, 'à travers' is the standard choice.
No. While often used for families, it can refer to an entire society, a professional field (e.g., generations of doctors), or even biological species. It describes any continuity over successive age cohorts.
It is pronounced /tʁa.vɛʁ/. The 's' at the end is silent. Do not pronounce it as 'tra-verse'.
Technically, it is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial of time/manner. However, it is often treated as a fixed expression or a 'bloc lexical'.
Yes, using 'des' (indefinite) implies 'through some generations' or 'through many generations' without specifying which ones. 'Les' (definite) is more common when referring to the general concept of generations.
The most common are 'se transmettre' (to be passed down), 'persister' (to persist), 'évoluer' (to evolve), 'maintenir' (to maintain), and 'survivre' (to survive).
Both exist, but 'à travers' is much more frequent in this specific expression. 'Au travers de' is slightly more literary or physical.
The most direct and natural translation is 'à travers les générations'.
셀프 테스트 200 질문
Write a sentence about a family tradition using 'à travers les générations'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'This secret has been kept across the generations.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Explain why 'à travers les générations' is important for culture.
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Use 'à travers les générations' in a sentence about science.
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Write a short paragraph about environmental responsibility using this phrase.
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Translate: 'Artistic talent is often passed down across generations.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Compare 'à travers les générations' and 'de génération en génération' in two sentences.
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Describe a historical building using the phrase.
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Write a journal entry about a trait you inherited from your ancestors.
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Translate: 'Collective memory persists across generations through stories.'
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Use the phrase in a political context.
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Write a sentence using 'par-delà les générations'.
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Translate: 'The values of our society have changed across the generations.'
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Describe the evolution of a city using the phrase.
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Write a sentence about genetic diseases using the phrase.
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Translate: 'It is a bridge between the generations.'
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Use 'savoir-faire' and 'à travers les générations' in one sentence.
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Write a sentence about a family name.
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Translate: 'Intangible heritage is distilled across generations.'
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Write a sentence about music and generations.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Pronounce: 'À travers les générations'.
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'Ma famille vit ici à travers les générations.'
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Explain a tradition in your family using the phrase.
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Debate: Is it easier or harder to pass down traditions today à travers les générations?
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Describe how your language has changed à travers les générations.
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Give a short speech about 'le patrimoine' using the phrase.
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'Le secret se transmet à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'L'art évolue à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'C'est un héritage précieux à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'La mémoire persiste à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'À travers les générations, nous gardons espoir.'
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Say: 'Les gènes voyagent à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'La sédimentation des savoirs à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'Le rayonnement de la culture à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'Par-delà les clivages à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'La résilience se déploie à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'Cette coutume a survécu à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'La solidarité se renforce à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'L'identité se forge à travers les générations.'
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Say: 'Le respect de la nature à travers les générations.'
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Listen and write: 'À travers les générations, tout change.'
Listen and identify the phrase: 'Cette recette est passée de main en main à travers les générations.'
Listen and write: 'Le savoir se transmet à travers les générations.'
Listen and identify the verb: 'L'influence persiste à travers les générations.'
Listen and write: 'Le patrimoine est conservé à travers les générations.'
Listen and identify the subject: 'Les traditions orales voyagent à travers les générations.'
Listen and write: 'La mémoire collective à travers les générations.'
Listen and identify the adjective: 'Un lien précieux à travers les générations.'
Listen and write: 'L'évolution du langage à travers les générations.'
Listen and identify the context: 'Les gènes se répliquent à travers les générations.'
Listen and write: 'C'est un héritage de plomb à travers les générations.'
Listen and identify the phrase: 'Par-delà les générations, son nom reste.'
Listen and write: 'La solidarité familiale à travers les générations.'
Listen and identify the verb: 'La haine s'est éteinte à travers les générations.'
Listen and write: 'Protéger la terre à travers les générations.'
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The phrase 'à travers les générations' is essential for discussing legacy and endurance. It connects the past to the future, as seen in the sentence: 'L'amour de la musique s'est transmis à travers les générations dans notre famille.'
- Refers to the continuity and transmission of heritage, values, or traits from ancestors to descendants over a long period.
- Commonly used in contexts of family history, cultural preservation, and sociological or biological inheritance.
- Functions as a temporal bridge, emphasizing that something has successfully endured the passage of time across multiple age groups.
- Often paired with verbs like 'transmettre' (transmit), 'persister' (persist), or 'évoluer' (evolve) to show movement through time.
Always Plural
Always keep 'générations' in the plural form. The concept of 'across' requires moving from one point to another, which implies multiple generations.
Pair with 'Patrimoine'
This phrase is a perfect match for the word 'patrimoine' (heritage). Use them together to sound like a native speaker discussing culture.
Silent S
Remember that the 's' in 'travers' is silent. If you pronounce it, you might be confused with the verb 'traverse' (crosses).
Accent Check
Don't forget the two acute accents in 'générations'. They are essential for both spelling and correct pronunciation.
관련 콘텐츠
family 관련 단어
à charge
B2부양가족; 경제적으로 지원을 받는 가족 구성원을 의미함.
à deux
A2둘이서; 커플이나 듀오로서 함께.
à domicile
A2가정에서
à jamais
A2Forever, for all time.
à la charge de
B2Dependent on; at the expense of.
à la mémoire de
B2~를 추모하며; 고인이 된 사람을 기리기 위해 사용하는 격식 있는 표현입니다.
à la place de
B21. 평소 마시던 차 대신 커피를 마셨습니다. 2. 선생님께서 시험 대신 추가 과제를 주셨습니다.
à l'amiable
B2Amicably, by mutual agreement.
à l'égard de
A2With regard to; concerning.
à l'image de
B2~를 본떠서, ~처럼.
