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A1 noun #4,000 가장 일반적인 12분 분량

lac

상위 4,000

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 lac 30초 만에

설명 lac in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word lac is introduced as a basic vocabulary item for describing nature and travel. Students learn that it is a masculine noun (le lac) and typically use it in simple sentences like 'Le lac est bleu' (The lake is blue) or 'J'aime le lac' (I like the lake). The focus is on recognizing the word in pictures and using it with basic verbs like être, avoir, and aimer. Learners also learn the prepositional phrase au lac (at/to the lake) to talk about where they are going. This level focuses on the physical object: a big area of water that isn't the sea.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use lac in more descriptive contexts. They might describe activities they do there, such as 'faire du bateau sur le lac' (to go boating on the lake) or 'se promener au bord du lac' (to take a walk by the lake). They start to use more adjectives like grand (big), beau (beautiful), or calme (calm). The distinction between le lac and la mer becomes clearer, and students can talk about their holidays using past tenses: 'Nous sommes allés au lac l'été dernier'. They also learn to use 'il y a' to describe the presence of a lake in a landscape.

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At the B1 level, the word lac is used to discuss environmental issues and more detailed travel experiences. A student might talk about the 'pollution du lac' or 'la protection de l'environnement'. They can describe the atmosphere of a place using the lake as a focal point, employing more sophisticated vocabulary like reflet (reflection) or profondeur (depth). Learners are comfortable with complex prepositions like autour du lac or à travers le lac. They might also encounter the word in simple literary texts or news articles about regional geography and tourism.

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At the B2 level, speakers can use lac in technical or metaphorical discussions. They might discuss the 'écosystème lacustre' (lake ecosystem) or the impact of hydroelectric dams ('lac de retenue'). They can analyze the role of a lake in a story or a poem, understanding how it contributes to the mood or symbolism. B2 learners are expected to use the word fluently in debates about ecology, urban planning, or tourism management. They also understand common idioms and can distinguish 'lac' from more specific terms like 'étang' or 'réservoir' in various professional or academic contexts.

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At the C1 level, the word lac is understood in all its nuances, including its place in French literary history. A C1 learner can discuss Lamartine's 'Le Lac' in detail, exploring themes of Romanticism, temporality, and nature as a mirror for the human condition. They are familiar with the term 'lacustre' and its historical connotations (e.g., 'cités lacustres'). In professional settings, they can use the word in scientific or legal discussions regarding water rights and environmental legislation. Their use of the word is precise, choosing it over synonyms to convey specific geographical or emotional qualities.

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At the C2 level, the speaker has a complete mastery of the word lac, including its most obscure uses and literary references. They can appreciate the subtle difference between 'un lac' and 'une nappe d'eau' in a poetic text. They might use the word in rare idioms or as a sophisticated metaphor in creative writing. A C2 speaker can navigate complex scientific reports on limnology or participate in high-level policy discussions about the management of international lakes like Lake Geneva. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a versatile tool for nuanced expression in any register, from the most casual to the most formal.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

lac 30초 만에

A masculine noun meaning 'lake', used for large bodies of inland water.
Commonly used in travel, nature, and geography contexts across all levels.
Distinguished from 'étang' (pond) by its larger size and greater depth.
Central to French culture, especially in mountainous regions like the Alps.

The French word lac refers to a large body of water that is entirely surrounded by land. Unlike the sea or the ocean, a lake is typically composed of fresh water, although saline lakes do exist. In the context of French geography and culture, lakes are central to both the landscape and the leisure activities of the population. From the massive expanse of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) to the alpine beauty of Lake Annecy, the term evokes images of tranquility, recreation, and natural majesty. When people use the word 'lac', they are often speaking about a destination for vacation, a site for sporting activities like rowing or sailing, or a geographical marker in a mountainous region.

Geographical Context: In geography, a 'lac' is distinguished from an 'étang' (pond) by its depth and size. A lake is deep enough to have a thermal stratification, meaning the water temperature varies significantly at different depths.

Nous avons loué un petit chalet au bord du lac pour les vacances d'été.

The usage of 'lac' spans various registers. In everyday conversation, it is a common noun used to describe any local body of water of significant size. In literature, particularly within the French Romantic movement, the 'lac' serves as a powerful metaphor for the soul, reflection, and the passage of time. Alphonse de Lamartine's famous poem 'Le Lac' is perhaps the most iconic example of this, where the still water represents the speaker's desire to halt the flow of time and preserve a moment of love. This cultural weight adds a layer of poetic depth to an otherwise simple geographical term.

Leisure and Tourism: The phrase 'station lacustre' refers to resorts or settlements located by a lake, highlighting the economic and social importance of these bodies of water in French-speaking regions like Savoie or Switzerland.

L'eau du lac est si claire que l'on peut voir les poissons nager au fond.

Furthermore, 'lac' is used in scientific and environmental discussions. Limnology, the study of inland waters, frequently focuses on the health of 'lacs' regarding pollution, biodiversity, and climate change. In these contexts, the word is technical and precise. Whether one is discussing the 'lac de retenue' (reservoir) created by a dam or a natural 'lac glaciaire' (glacial lake), the term remains the fundamental building block for describing these environments. The versatility of the word allows it to transition seamlessly from a child's story about a duck on a lake to a complex scientific report on aquatic ecosystems.

Idiomatic Nuance: While 'lac' usually refers to water, it can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe a large, flat expanse of something else, such as 'un lac de sang' (a pool of blood), though this is more dramatic and less common in daily speech.

Using 'lac' correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of its gender and common prepositional pairings. As a masculine noun, it is preceded by 'le', 'un', or 'ce'. When referring to a specific lake by name, the word 'lac' usually comes first, followed by 'de' or simply the name: 'le lac de Côme' or 'le lac Michigan'. However, in many French place names, the 'de' is mandatory. For example, you would say 'Je vais au lac d'Annecy' (I am going to Lake Annecy). The preposition 'au' (à + le) is the most frequent choice when indicating a destination or location near the water.

Direction and Location: To say 'at the lake' or 'to the lake', use 'au lac'. To say 'by the side of the lake', use 'au bord du lac'.

Regarde les reflets des montagnes sur la surface du lac.

When describing actions taking place within the water, the preposition 'dans' is used. For instance, 'nager dans le lac' (to swim in the lake). If you are referring to the general area around the lake for activities like hiking or camping, 'autour du lac' (around the lake) is appropriate. Adjectives following 'lac' must agree in gender (masculine) and number. Common pairings include 'lac gelé' (frozen lake), 'lac paisible' (peaceful lake), and 'lac artificiel' (artificial lake). Note that 'artificiel' becomes 'artificiels' in the plural: 'les lacs artificiels'.

Descriptive Adjectives: Common adjectives used with lac: 'profond' (deep), 'calme' (calm), 'bleu' (blue), 'étincelant' (sparkling), and 'vaste' (vast).

Il est interdit de pêcher dans ce lac sans permis spécial.

In more complex sentence structures, 'lac' can function as the subject, direct object, or part of a prepositional phrase. For example, 'Le lac s'étend à perte de vue' (The lake stretches as far as the eye can see) uses 'lac' as the subject. In 'J'aperçois le lac au loin' (I see the lake in the distance), it is the direct object. Understanding these roles helps in constructing fluid and natural-sounding French. Additionally, when using 'lac' in the plural ('lacs'), ensure that the articles and adjectives are adjusted accordingly: 'Les grands lacs d'Amérique du Nord' (The Great Lakes of North America).

The word 'lac' is ubiquitous in French-speaking regions, especially those with significant natural water features. You will hear it most frequently in the context of tourism and outdoor recreation. If you visit the French Alps, the Jura mountains, or the Massif Central, signs directing you to 'Le Lac' are everywhere. Tour guides will describe the history and depth of local lakes, and weather presenters will mention 'la température de l'eau des lacs' during the summer months to inform swimmers. In these settings, the word is associated with relaxation, fresh air, and the beauty of the French countryside.

Daily Life and Media: You will encounter 'lac' in local news reports regarding environmental protection, water levels during droughts, or local festivals held 'au bord du lac'.

Bienvenue au lac du Bourget, le plus grand lac naturel de France.

In educational settings, 'lac' is a fundamental vocabulary word introduced early in geography and science classes. Students learn about the water cycle, the formation of glacial lakes, and the ecosystem of a 'lac'. It also appears in literature and music. French students often study Lamartine's 'Le Lac', a cornerstone of French Romantic poetry, where the lake is personified as a witness to human emotion. In music, titles and lyrics often evoke the stillness or the mystery of a lake to set a mood. Even in urban environments, if there is a large artificial body of water in a park, like in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, people will refer to it as 'le lac'.

Cultural References: The term 'Le Lac des Cygnes' (Swan Lake) is the French title for the famous Tchaikovsky ballet, a phrase known even to those who do not speak French fluently.

On se retrouve demain pour un pique-nique au lac ?

Finally, 'lac' is heard in professional contexts such as environmental engineering, urban planning, and fisheries management. Experts discuss the 'qualité de l'eau du lac' or 'la gestion des rives du lac'. In these cases, the tone is more serious and technical. However, for the majority of French speakers, the word 'lac' remains synonymous with the joy of summer days, the tranquility of a morning mist over the water, and the enduring beauty of the natural world. It is a word that carries both a simple physical description and a deep reservoir of cultural and emotional meaning.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning the word 'lac' is getting its gender wrong. Many learners assume that because 'eau' (water) is feminine, 'lac' must also be feminine. However, 'lac' is masculine: le lac. Saying 'la lac' is a common error that immediately marks a speaker as a beginner. Another mistake involves pronunciation. In English, the 'e' at the end of 'lake' is silent, but the 'c' is pronounced. In French, the 'c' in 'lac' is also pronounced clearly as a 'k' sound. Some learners might try to make it silent, thinking it follows the pattern of words like 'tabac' or 'estomac', but 'lac' is an exception where the final consonant is sounded.

Gender Confusion: Mistake: 'La lac est beau.' Correct: 'Le lac est beau.' Remember: Geographical features like 'lac', 'fleuve', and 'océan' are masculine.

Attention à ne pas dire 'la lac', c'est une erreur très courante.

Another area of confusion is the distinction between 'lac' and other bodies of water like 'étang' or 'marais'. An 'étang' is usually smaller and shallower than a 'lac', while a 'marais' is a swamp or marsh. Using 'lac' to describe a small backyard pond would be an exaggeration. Additionally, learners often struggle with the plural form 'lacs'. While the spelling adds an 's', the pronunciation remains the same as the singular 'lac'. The 's' is silent. Beginners might mistakenly try to pronounce the 's' or change the vowel sound, but the phonetics [lak] remain consistent.

Spelling and Homophones: Confusion with 'laque': 'La laque' (feminine) refers to hairspray or lacquer. 'Le lac' (masculine) refers to the body of water. They sound similar but are distinct.

Il y a plusieurs lacs dans cette région montagneuse.

Finally, the use of prepositions can be tricky. English speakers often want to say 'à le lac' instead of the contracted 'au lac'. Remember that 'à + le' always becomes 'au'. Similarly, 'de + le' becomes 'du'. So, 'the edge of the lake' is 'le bord du lac', not 'le bord de le lac'. Mastering these contractions is essential for sounding natural. Another subtle mistake is using 'sur le lac' when you mean 'in the lake'. 'Sur le lac' implies being on the surface (like in a boat), while 'dans le lac' means being inside the water (like swimming).

While 'lac' is the general term for a lake, French offers several other words to describe bodies of water, each with its own specific nuance. Understanding these alternatives will help you be more precise in your descriptions. For instance, an étang is a smaller, shallower body of standing water. It is often translated as 'pond'. Unlike a lake, an 'étang' might not have a constant flow of water in and out, and it is usually small enough that sunlight can reach the bottom across its entire area. Another similar term is mare, which refers to a very small, often stagnant pool of water, like a puddle or a small farm pond.

Lac vs. Étang: A 'lac' is large and deep; an 'étang' is smaller and shallow. A 'lac' usually has a river flowing into it, whereas an 'étang' might be fed by rainwater or groundwater.

Ce n'est pas vraiment un lac, c'est plutôt un petit étang au milieu de la forêt.

In more technical or poetic contexts, you might encounter the term plan d'eau. This is a very general term that can refer to any expanse of standing water, whether it is a lake, a pond, or a reservoir. It is often used in administrative or recreational contexts (e.g., 'un plan d'eau aménagé pour la baignade'). If the body of water is man-made, particularly for the purpose of storing water behind a dam, it is called a lac de retenue or a réservoir. These terms specify the artificial nature of the lake.

Poetic and Literary Terms: 'Nappe d'eau' is a poetic way to describe a smooth, mirror-like expanse of water. 'L'onde' is a classical literary term for water or a wave, often used in poems about lakes.

Le lac de barrage fournit de l'électricité à toute la vallée.

Finally, it is important to distinguish 'lac' from flowing bodies of water. A rivière (river that flows into another river) and a fleuve (river that flows into the sea) are dynamic and moving, whereas a 'lac' is characterized by its stillness. If you see water moving rapidly in a channel, it is never a 'lac'. However, many lakes are part of a river system, acting as a point where the water slows down and expands. In summary, while 'lac' is your go-to word for most large bodies of inland water, knowing terms like 'étang', 'plan d'eau', and 'réservoir' will significantly enrich your French vocabulary.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The word 'lacune' (a gap or missing part) comes from the same Latin root 'lacus', via 'lacuna', which originally meant a small pit or a hole, showing the connection between a lake and a depression in the ground.

발음 가이드

UK /læk/

US /læk/

Single syllable word; the stress is on the entire word.

라임이 맞는 단어

sac (bag) bac (ferry/exam) vrac (bulk) flic-flac (patter) mac (pimp - slang) tictac (tick-tock) bivouac (bivouac) clac (click/snap)

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing it like 'lay-k' (English influence).
Making the 'c' silent like in 'tabac'.
Adding an 'e' sound at the end (lac-uh).
Pronouncing the plural 's' in 'lacs'.
Confusing the vowel with 'o' (loc).

난이도

독해 1/5

Very easy to recognize; close to English 'lake'.

쓰기 1/5

Short and simple spelling, though remember it is masculine.

말하기 2/5

Pronunciation of the final 'c' is key.

듣기 1/5

Clear sound, though watch for homophones in context.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

eau bleu grand nature rivière

다음에 배울 것

étang montagne baigner pêcher bateau

고급

lacustre limnologie eutrophisation affluent confluent

알아야 할 문법

Contractions with 'à' and 'de'

à + le = au lac; de + le = du lac.

Masculine Gender for Geographical Bodies

Le lac, l'océan, le fleuve (all masculine).

Adjective Agreement

Un grand lac (masculine singular).

Pluralization

Un lac -> des lacs (silent 's').

Preposition 'dans' vs 'sur'

Dans le lac (inside water); sur le lac (on top of water).

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수준별 예문

Le lac est très grand.

The lake is very big.

Uses the masculine definite article 'le'.

J'aime nager dans le lac.

I like to swim in the lake.

The preposition 'dans' indicates being inside the water.

Il y a un lac près de ma maison.

There is a lake near my house.

Uses 'un' for an indefinite masculine noun.

L'eau du lac est bleue.

The water of the lake is blue.

Contraction of 'de + le' into 'du'.

Nous allons au lac aujourd'hui.

We are going to the lake today.

Contraction of 'à + le' into 'au'.

Regarde le petit lac !

Look at the little lake!

The adjective 'petit' is masculine to match 'lac'.

C'est un beau lac.

It is a beautiful lake.

The adjective 'beau' comes before the noun.

Le lac est calme.

The lake is calm.

A simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

On peut faire du bateau sur le lac.

One can go boating on the lake.

'Sur le lac' means on the surface.

Nous avons pique-niqué au bord du lac.

We had a picnic by the lakeside.

'Au bord du' is a common phrase for 'at the edge of'.

Le lac d'Annecy est magnifique en été.

Lake Annecy is magnificent in summer.

Proper names of lakes often use 'lac de...'.

Il y a beaucoup de poissons dans ce lac.

There are many fish in this lake.

Use of 'dans ce' (in this) masculine singular.

Le lac est entouré de montagnes.

The lake is surrounded by mountains.

Passive construction 'est entouré de'.

Est-ce que l'eau du lac est froide ?

Is the lake water cold?

Question formation using 'est-ce que'.

Je préfère le lac à la mer.

I prefer the lake to the sea.

Comparison between masculine 'le lac' and feminine 'la mer'.

Les lacs de cette région sont célèbres.

The lakes of this region are famous.

Plural form 'les lacs'.

Le brouillard se lève doucement sur le lac.

The mist is slowly rising over the lake.

Pronominal verb 'se lever' in a descriptive context.

La pollution menace l'équilibre du lac.

Pollution threatens the balance of the lake.

Abstract noun 'équilibre' related to the lake.

Nous avons loué un pédalo pour explorer le lac.

We rented a pedal boat to explore the lake.

Infinitive 'explorer' used to express purpose.

Le reflet des arbres sur le lac est superbe.

The reflection of the trees on the lake is superb.

Noun 'reflet' showing the lake's visual quality.

Il est dangereux de traverser le lac à la nage.

It is dangerous to swim across the lake.

Impersonal construction 'il est dangereux de'.

Le niveau du lac a baissé à cause de la sécheresse.

The lake level has dropped because of the drought.

Compound past 'a baissé' showing a completed action.

On peut apercevoir des oiseaux migrateurs près du lac.

One can spot migratory birds near the lake.

Modality with 'on peut' and the verb 'apercevoir'.

Cette ville a été construite au bord d'un grand lac.

This city was built on the shores of a large lake.

Passive voice 'a été construite'.

L'écosystème du lac est particulièrement fragile.

The lake's ecosystem is particularly fragile.

Technical vocabulary 'écosystème' used with 'lac'.

Ce lac de retenue sert à alimenter la centrale hydroélectrique.

This reservoir is used to power the hydroelectric plant.

Specific term 'lac de retenue' for a reservoir.

Le poète contemple le lac en méditant sur le temps qui passe.

The poet contemplates the lake while meditating on passing time.

Present participle 'méditant' for simultaneous action.

L'accès au lac est réglementé pour protéger la faune.

Access to the lake is regulated to protect the wildlife.

Noun 'accès' followed by 'au lac'.

Le lac gelé craquait sous le poids des patineurs.

The frozen lake was cracking under the weight of the skaters.

Imperfect tense 'craquait' for descriptive background.

Les sédiments au fond du lac révèlent l'histoire du climat.

The sediments at the bottom of the lake reveal climate history.

Prepositional phrase 'au fond du lac'.

La municipalité envisage d'aménager les rives du lac.

The municipality plans to develop the lake shores.

Verb 'envisager de' followed by an infinitive.

Le lac semblait s'étendre à l'infini sous le ciel étoilé.

The lake seemed to stretch to infinity under the starry sky.

Pronominal verb 's'étendre' (to stretch/extend).

L'immobilité du lac contrastait avec la fureur de la tempête.

The stillness of the lake contrasted with the fury of the storm.

Abstract noun 'immobilité' paired with 'lac'.

Les vestiges d'une cité lacustre ont été découverts lors des fouilles.

The remains of a lake-dwelling city were discovered during excavations.

Adjective 'lacustre' derived from 'lac'.

Le lac agissait comme un miroir, dédoublant la majesté des cimes.

The lake acted like a mirror, doubling the majesty of the peaks.

Metaphorical use of 'miroir' for the lake.

Une brise légère ridait la surface autrefois lisse du lac.

A light breeze rippled the once smooth surface of the lake.

Literary verb 'rider' (to wrinkle/ripple).

L'eutrophisation du lac est une préoccupation majeure pour les limnologues.

The eutrophication of the lake is a major concern for limnologists.

Highly technical scientific terminology.

Il s'était retiré dans une cabane isolée, loin de tout, au bord d'un lac sans nom.

He had retired to an isolated cabin, far from everything, by an unnamed lake.

Past perfect 's'était retiré' for narrative depth.

Le lac, par sa simple présence, imposait un silence respectueux aux randonneurs.

The lake, by its simple presence, imposed a respectful silence on the hikers.

Personification of the lake as a presence.

Les eaux sombres du lac semblaient receler des secrets millénaires.

The dark waters of the lake seemed to hide ancient secrets.

Verb 'receler' (to contain/hide) in a literary context.

L'œuvre de Lamartine a immortalisé le lac comme le réceptacle de la mélancolie romantique.

Lamartine's work immortalized the lake as the receptacle of romantic melancholy.

Complex literary analysis using 'lac' as a symbol.

La stratification thermique du lac influe sur la distribution de l'oxygène dissous.

The lake's thermal stratification affects the distribution of dissolved oxygen.

Advanced scientific sentence structure.

Au crépuscule, le lac se parait de teintes pourpres et mordorées, défiant toute description.

At twilight, the lake adorned itself with purple and bronze hues, defying all description.

Sophisticated vocabulary for colors and personification.

L'arbitrage international a tranché le différend concernant l'exploitation des ressources du lac.

International arbitration settled the dispute regarding the exploitation of the lake's resources.

Formal legal and political context.

Le lac n'était plus qu'une nappe d'argent sous la clarté blafarde de la lune.

The lake was nothing more than a sheet of silver under the pale light of the moon.

Metaphorical 'nappe d'argent' and restrictive 'ne... que'.

La sédimentologie lacustre permet de reconstituer les paléoclimats avec une précision remarquable.

Lacustrine sedimentology allows for the reconstruction of paleoclimates with remarkable precision.

Adjectival form 'lacustre' in a specialized field.

Chaque ride à la surface du lac semblait être un soupir de la terre elle-même.

Every ripple on the lake's surface seemed to be a sigh from the earth itself.

High-level poetic personification.

Le lac, tel un abîme liquide, semblait vouloir engloutir les derniers rayons du soleil.

The lake, like a liquid abyss, seemed to want to swallow the last rays of the sun.

Simile 'tel un abîme' and dramatic verb 'engloutir'.

자주 쓰는 조합

au bord du lac

le fond du lac

la surface du lac

lac artificiel

lac gelé

faire le tour du lac

traverser le lac

eau du lac

lac de montagne

vue sur le lac

자주 쓰는 구문

C'est un lac.

— Identifying a body of water. Simple identification.

Regarde la carte, c'est un lac ici.

Aller au lac.

— To go to the lake. Used for trips or outings.

On va au lac ce week-end ?

Bord du lac.

— The lakeside or shore. Used for locations of buildings or paths.

Le restaurant se trouve au bord du lac.

Lac de...

— Used to name a specific lake. Followed by the name.

Le lac de Genève est immense.

Dans le lac.

— Inside the water. Used for swimming or objects submerged.

J'ai fait tomber mes clés dans le lac.

Sur le lac.

— On the surface. Used for boats or ice.

Il y a beaucoup de voiliers sur le lac.

Le tour du lac.

— The perimeter of the lake. Used for hiking or cycling routes.

Le tour du lac fait dix kilomètres.

Lac paisible.

— A calm, quiet lake. Descriptive phrase.

Quel lac paisible et relaxant !

Pêcher au lac.

— To fish at the lake. Common recreational phrase.

Mon grand-père adore pêcher au lac.

Plage du lac.

— The lake beach. Used for designated swimming areas.

Rendez-vous à la plage du lac à 14h.

자주 혼동되는 단어

lac vs laque

Sounds similar but means hairspray or lacquer and is feminine.

lac vs lacs

A homophone meaning 'snares' or 'nooses'. Context is vital.

lac vs étang

Often confused by learners; an étang is smaller and shallower.

관용어 및 표현

"Un lac de larmes"

— A vast amount of tears, indicating great sadness or crying.

Elle a versé un lac de larmes après leur rupture.

literary

"Coup de lac"

— A sudden, violent wind or storm on a lake, common in mountainous areas.

Attention au coup de lac, le ciel s'assombrit.

regional (Swiss/Savoyard)

"Tomber dans le lac"

— To fail or come to nothing (similar to 'tomber à l'eau').

Tous nos projets sont tombés dans le lac.

informal

"Un lac de sang"

— A large pool of blood, used in dramatic or violent descriptions.

La scène de crime était un véritable lac de sang.

literary/dramatic

"Être comme un poisson dans un lac"

— To be very comfortable in one's environment (variant of 'poisson dans l'eau').

Ici, il est comme un poisson dans un lac.

neutral

"Miroir du lac"

— The perfectly still surface of a lake reflecting the sky.

Le miroir du lac était d'une pureté absolue.

poetic

"Le grand lac"

— Sometimes used metaphorically for the ocean or a very large barrier.

Il a traversé le grand lac pour refaire sa vie.

literary

"Silence de lac"

— An absolute, deep silence, like that found by a still lake.

Un silence de lac régnait dans la bibliothèque.

poetic

"Vider le lac"

— To perform an impossible or endless task (metaphorical).

Essayer de le convaincre, c'est comme vouloir vider le lac avec une cuillère.

informal

"Peau de lac"

— A very smooth, unblemished surface (often used for skin).

Elle avait une peau de lac, sans aucune ride.

literary

혼동하기 쉬운

lac vs étang

Both are bodies of standing water.

A 'lac' is larger, deeper, and usually has thermal layers. An 'étang' is smaller, shallower, and often lacks a river outlet.

Le lac Léman est immense, mais l'étang du parc est petit.

lac vs mare

Both hold standing water.

A 'mare' is a very small, often temporary or stagnant pool of water, much smaller than a lake.

Les grenouilles vivent dans la mare, pas dans le grand lac.

lac vs fleuve

Both are large bodies of water.

A 'fleuve' is moving water that flows into the sea. A 'lac' is standing water surrounded by land.

Le Rhône est un fleuve qui traverse le lac Léman.

lac vs rivière

Both are freshwater bodies.

A 'rivière' is a flowing stream of water. A 'lac' is a stationary body of water.

La rivière alimente le lac en eau fraîche.

lac vs baie

Both involve water and land curves.

A 'baie' (bay) is part of a sea or lake that curves into the land, but it is open to the larger body of water.

Il y a une petite baie tranquille sur la rive sud du lac.

문장 패턴

Le lac est [adjective].

Le lac est bleu.

Je vais au lac pour [infinitive].

Je vais au lac pour nager.

Il y a un lac qui se trouve [prepositional phrase].

Il y a un lac qui se trouve derrière la montagne.

Bien que le lac soit [adjective], [clause].

Bien que le lac soit froid, il s'est baigné.

Le lac, dont la surface était [adjective], [verb].

Le lac, dont la surface était immobile, reflétait les nuages.

Nul ne saurait ignorer l'importance du lac dans [noun].

Nul ne saurait ignorer l'importance du lac dans la poésie romantique.

C'est un [adjective] lac.

C'est un beau lac.

On peut [verb] au lac.

On peut marcher au lac.

어휘 가족

명사

lagune (lagoon)

lacune (gap/lacuna - etymologically related)

limnologie (study of lakes)

형용사

lacustre (related to lakes/dwelling on a lake)

사용법

frequency

Extremely frequent in geography and travel contexts.

자주 하는 실수

La lac est belle. → Le lac est beau.
The noun 'lac' is masculine, so it requires 'le' and masculine adjective agreement.
Je vais à le lac. → Je vais au lac.
The preposition 'à' and the article 'le' must contract into 'au'.
Pronouncing the 's' in 'lacs'. → Pronouncing it the same as 'lac'.
In French, the plural 's' is almost always silent.
Confusing 'lac' with 'laque'. → Using 'lac' for water and 'laque' for spray.
They sound similar but have different genders and meanings.
Using 'rivière' for a lake. → Using 'lac' for standing water.
A river flows; a lake stands still.

팁

Gender Memory

Associate 'lac' with 'le'. Think of 'Le Lac' as a big blue man-made of water. This helps you remember it's masculine.

Sharp Finish

Make sure to clip the 'k' sound at the end of 'lac'. It should be short and sharp, not drawn out.

Lakeside Living

Learn the phrase 'au bord du lac' as a single unit. It's much more common than just saying 'près du lac'.

Alpine Lakes

When people talk about 'le lac' in France, they are often thinking of the beautiful blue lakes in the Alps.

Sur vs Dans

Use 'sur' for boats and ice, and 'dans' for swimming and fish. This distinction is important for clarity.

No 'e' at the end

Unlike the English 'lake', the French 'lac' has no 'e'. Don't let the English spelling confuse you.

When to use Étang

If you can see the bottom of the water across the whole area, it's probably an 'étang', not a 'lac'.

Failure Idiom

Remember 'tomber dans le lac' for when things go wrong. It's a colorful way to say a project failed.

Romanticism

The 'lac' is a symbol of calm and reflection in French poetry. Use this when writing creatively.

Contracting articles

Always use 'au lac' (to/at the lake) and 'du lac' (of the lake). Never say 'à le lac' or 'de le lac'.

암기하기

기억법

Think of the English word 'LACK'. A lake is a 'LACK' of land in the middle of a forest. Or, imagine a 'LAC' (lake) is where you 'LAX' (relax).

시각적 연상

Visualize a giant blue letter 'L' shaped like a lake nestled between mountains. The 'L' stands for 'Le Lac'.

Word Web

eau bleu poisson bateau montagne bord nager calme

챌린지

Try to name three famous lakes in France or Switzerland using the word 'lac' correctly in a sentence. For example: 'Le lac d'Annecy est très pur.'

어원

Derived from the Latin word 'lacus', which referred to a lake, basin, or tank. It entered Old French as 'lac' and has remained relatively unchanged in its core meaning for centuries. The root is Indo-European, linked to the idea of a hollow or a depression that holds liquid.

원래 의미: A hollow, a basin, or a body of standing water.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French

문화적 맥락

Be aware that some lakes are man-made (lacs de barrage) and their creation may have historical sensitivity regarding flooded villages.

While English speakers often put 'Lake' before the name (Lake Geneva), French speakers usually say 'Le lac de...' or 'Le lac [Name]'.

Alphonse de Lamartine's poem 'Le Lac' (1820). Tchaikovsky's ballet 'Le Lac des cygnes' (Swan Lake). The movie 'Le Lac aux oies sauvages' (The Wild Goose Lake).

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Vacations

Louer un chalet au lac
Se baigner dans le lac
Pique-nique au bord du lac
Le lac est chaud

Geography

Le plus grand lac
Lac d'origine glaciaire
L'altitude du lac
Le lac se déverse dans...

Sports

Faire de l'aviron sur le lac
Voile sur le lac
Faire le tour du lac en courant
Plongée sous-marine en lac

Environment

Protéger les rives du lac
Qualité de l'eau du lac
Poissons du lac
Le lac est pollué

Literature

Le miroir du lac
Les ondes du lac
Méditer devant le lac
Le lac romantique

대화 시작하기

"Tu préfères passer tes vacances à la mer ou au lac ?"

"Quel est le plus beau lac que tu as jamais vu ?"

"Est-ce qu'il y a un lac célèbre dans ton pays ?"

"Tu aimes nager dans les lacs ou tu as peur de l'eau profonde ?"

"Quelles activités peut-on faire au bord d'un lac en hiver ?"

일기 주제

Décrivez une journée idéale passée au bord d'un lac tranquille.

Imaginez que vous vivez dans une maison flottante sur un lac immense.

Pourquoi les lacs sont-ils si importants pour l'environnement ?

Racontez un souvenir d'enfance lié à un lac ou une rivière.

Si vous étiez un lac, seriez-vous un lac de montagne ou un lac tropical ?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

It is masculine: 'le lac'. Even though 'l'eau' is feminine, geographical features like lakes, oceans, and rivers are typically masculine in French.

The 'c' is pronounced as a hard 'k' sound [lak]. It is not silent.

A 'lac' is generally larger and deeper than an 'étang'. A lake is big enough to have waves and different temperature layers, while a pond is shallow.

In French, you usually say 'le lac d'Annecy'. The 'de' (or 'd'') is commonly used between the word 'lac' and the specific name.

No, the 's' in the plural 'lacs' is silent. The pronunciation remains [lak].

Yes, you can have a 'lac salé' (salt lake), but without a qualifier, 'lac' usually implies fresh water.

It means 'at the edge of the lake' or 'by the lakeside'. It is the most common way to describe being near the water.

The poem was written by Alphonse de Lamartine in 1820. It is a masterpiece of French Romantic literature.

It is an artificial lake or reservoir created by a dam, often used for generating electricity or storing water.

Yes, Québec has hundreds of thousands of lakes, so 'le lac' is a very frequent and culturally important word there.

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