At the A1 level, your main goal is to understand basic words for everyday life. The word 'vitesse' means 'speed'. You will usually hear it when people talk about cars, trains, or bicycles. As a beginner, you just need to know that 'la vitesse' is a feminine noun. If you want to say a car has a lot of speed, you say 'une grande vitesse'. You will also learn the word 'vite', which means 'fast'. It is very important not to confuse them. 'Vite' is used to describe an action, like 'Il court vite' (He runs fast). 'Vitesse' is the thing itself, the speed. You might see signs on the road that say 'vitesse', warning drivers about how fast they can go. When you travel in France, the TGV is a famous train. TGV stands for 'Train à Grande Vitesse', which translates to 'High-Speed Train'. This is a great way to remember the word! Just think of the fast train. You don't need to worry about complicated grammar yet, just remember: la vitesse = the speed. Practice saying 'la voiture roule à grande vitesse' (the car drives at high speed) to get used to the sound and the gender of the word.
At the A2 level, you start using 'vitesse' in more practical, everyday situations. You already know it means 'speed', but now you will learn how to use it in common phrases. One of the most useful expressions you will learn is 'en vitesse'. This means 'in a hurry' or 'quickly'. For example, if you are late for school, you might say, 'Je mange mon petit-déjeuner en vitesse' (I am eating my breakfast in a hurry). You will also learn about driving rules. The phrase 'limitation de vitesse' means 'speed limit'. If you are driving or talking about driving, this is a very important term. Another common phrase is 'à toute vitesse', which means 'at top speed' or 'very fast'. You can use this to describe a car, an animal, or even a person running: 'Le chien court à toute vitesse'. At this level, you should also be comfortable using the preposition 'à' with 'vitesse' to talk about specific speeds, like 'rouler à une vitesse de 50 kilomètres par heure' (to drive at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour). Remember to always treat it as a feminine noun and make sure your adjectives agree, like 'une petite vitesse' or 'une grande vitesse'.
At the B1 level, your vocabulary expands to include more specific and mechanical uses of the word 'vitesse'. You are now able to talk about cars in more detail. You will learn that 'vitesse' also means 'gear' in a car. The gearbox is called 'la boîte de vitesses' (notice the 's' on vitesses because there are multiple gears). When you drive a manual car, you have to 'changer de vitesse' or 'passer les vitesses' (change gears). You will also learn the term 'excès de vitesse', which means 'speeding' (driving over the speed limit). If you get caught doing an excès de vitesse, you might get an 'amende' (a fine). You should also start using verbs that go naturally with 'vitesse', such as 'prendre de la vitesse' (to gain speed/accelerate) and 'perdre de la vitesse' (to lose speed/decelerate). For example, 'L'avion prend de la vitesse avant de décoller' (The plane gains speed before taking off). You can also use these verbs metaphorically. If a project is slowing down, you can say 'Le projet perd de la vitesse'. Mastering these collocations will make your French sound much more natural and fluent in both concrete and abstract contexts.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'vitesse' in abstract, professional, and idiomatic contexts. You move beyond simple physical speed and mechanics. A key phrase at this level is 'vitesse de croisière', which literally means 'cruising speed' but is widely used metaphorically to describe a steady, optimal, and comfortable pace of work or life. For example, 'Après quelques mois difficiles, l'entreprise a enfin trouvé sa vitesse de croisière' (After a few difficult months, the company has finally found its cruising speed). You will also use the idiom 'passer à la vitesse supérieure', meaning to shift into high gear or to intensify efforts. 'Nous devons passer à la vitesse supérieure si nous voulons finir ce projet à temps'. You should be comfortable discussing the pace of modern life, using phrases like 'la vitesse de l'information' (the speed of information) or 'la vitesse des changements technologiques' (the speed of technological changes). At this stage, you must also perfectly distinguish 'vitesse' from synonyms like 'rapidité' and 'allure', knowing exactly when to use a noun denoting measurable rate versus a noun denoting the quality of quickness. Your sentences should be complex, integrating 'vitesse' seamlessly into debates and detailed narratives.
At the C1 level, your use of 'vitesse' should be sophisticated, incorporating advanced idioms and demonstrating a deep understanding of its stylistic nuances. You will use expressions like 'à la vitesse grand V', an idiom meaning 'very rapidly' or 'at breakneck speed', often used to describe the rapid progression of a situation or a disease. 'La situation s'est dégradée à la vitesse grand V'. You will also use the verb phrase 'prendre de vitesse', which means to outpace, preempt, or catch someone off guard by acting faster than them. 'Le concurrent nous a pris de vitesse en lançant son produit en premier'. You should be able to discuss complex scientific or economic concepts, such as 'la vitesse de circulation de la monnaie' (the velocity of money) or precise physical phenomena. At this level, you understand the subtle difference between 'agir avec rapidité' (to act quickly) and the incorrect 'agir avec vitesse'. You can write essays analyzing the sociological impact of speed in modern society, referencing concepts like 'la dictature de l'urgence' (the dictatorship of urgency) and how 'la vitesse' dictates contemporary lifestyles. Your command of the word is native-like, effortlessly blending literal, mechanical, and highly metaphorical usages.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'vitesse' encompasses literary, technical, and highly nuanced applications. You can dissect the semantic field of speed, effortlessly differentiating 'vitesse' from formal or archaic synonyms like 'vélocité', 'célérité', and 'promptitude' depending on the exact stylistic requirement of your discourse. In literary analysis, you might discuss how an author manipulates 'la vitesse du récit' (the pacing of the narrative) to build tension. You are fully comfortable with specialized jargon across various fields, from aerodynamics ('vitesse de décrochage' - stall speed) to astrophysics ('vitesse de libération' - escape velocity). You can engage in philosophical discussions about the concept of speed, perhaps referencing Paul Virilio's 'dromologie' (dromology, the study of speed and its impact on society). You understand that 'vitesse' is not just a measurement but a cultural and philosophical construct that defines the modern era. Your use of idioms is flawless, and you can invent your own metaphors based on the concept of 'vitesse' that sound completely natural and intellectually rigorous to a native speaker. You command the word in all its historical, scientific, and poetic dimensions.

vitesse 30초 만에

  • Vitesse is a feminine French noun that primarily translates to speed, velocity, or pace, used frequently in contexts involving transportation, sports, and physics.
  • It is crucial to distinguish between the noun 'vitesse' (speed) and the adverb 'vite' (fast), as learners often confuse these two related terms.
  • In automotive vocabulary, 'vitesse' also refers to the gears of a car, making 'boîte de vitesses' the standard term for a vehicle's gearbox.
  • The word appears in numerous common idiomatic expressions, such as 'à toute vitesse' (at top speed) and 'en vitesse' (in a hurry or quickly).
The French word 'vitesse' is a highly versatile and fundamental feminine noun that primarily translates to 'speed', 'velocity', or 'pace' in English. Understanding its nuances is crucial for mastering both everyday conversations and more technical or abstract discussions in French. At its core, 'vitesse' refers to the rate at which an object changes its position over time, a concept deeply embedded in physics, transportation, and daily life.

La voiture roule à une vitesse impressionnante sur l'autoroute.

When we talk about physical movement, whether it is a person running, a car driving, or a bird flying, we use this word to quantify that motion.
Physical Speed
Refers to the literal rate of motion of an object or person.
However, the application of 'vitesse' extends far beyond simple physical movement. It is extensively used in the automotive world to refer to the gears of a vehicle. For instance, a 'boîte de vitesses' is a gearbox, and 'passer une vitesse' means to change gears.

Il doit changer de vitesse pour monter la colline.

This mechanical definition is just as common as the definition of speed itself, especially in a country with a strong automotive culture like France. Beyond the physical and mechanical, 'vitesse' takes on significant metaphorical meaning. It can describe the pace at which events occur, the rapid development of technology, or the rhythm of modern life.
Metaphorical Pace
Describes the rate at which abstract concepts, like time or progress, seem to move.
For example, one might talk about the 'vitesse' of technological advancement or the 'vitesse' at which a rumor spreads.

La rumeur s'est propagée à la vitesse de l'éclair dans tout le bureau.

In these contexts, it emphasizes rapidity and the often overwhelming nature of fast-paced changes. Furthermore, the word is central to numerous idiomatic expressions that enrich the French language. Doing something 'en vitesse' means doing it in a hurry or very quickly, often implying a lack of thoroughness due to time constraints.

J'ai mangé mon déjeuner en vitesse avant la réunion.

Conversely, 'vitesse de croisière' refers to a cruising speed, metaphorically meaning a steady, comfortable, and efficient pace of work or life.
Scientific Velocity
In physics, it represents a vector quantity denoting the rate of change of position.
In scientific contexts, 'vitesse' is the exact translation for 'velocity', used in complex formulas and theories, such as 'la vitesse de la lumière' (the speed of light) or 'la vitesse du son' (the speed of sound).

Rien ne peut dépasser la vitesse de la lumière dans le vide.

The distinction between the noun 'vitesse' and the adverb 'vite' (fast/quickly) is a fundamental grammatical point that learners must grasp early on. While 'vite' describes how an action is performed, 'vitesse' is the abstract concept or the measurable quantity itself. Ultimately, 'vitesse' is a word that encapsulates the dynamism of the physical world, the mechanics of our machines, and the ever-accelerating tempo of human existence, making it an indispensable part of a comprehensive French vocabulary.
Using the word 'vitesse' correctly in French requires an understanding of its grammatical properties, its common collocations, and the specific prepositions that accompany it in various contexts. First and foremost, 'vitesse' is a feminine noun. This means it must be preceded by feminine articles such as 'la' (the), 'une' (a/an), or 'cette' (this/that), and any adjectives modifying it must also agree in the feminine form.

Il a atteint une vitesse maximale sur le circuit.

For example, you would say 'une grande vitesse' (a high speed) or 'une petite vitesse' (a low speed).
Grammatical Gender
Always feminine, requiring agreement with articles and adjectives (e.g., la, une, grande).
When discussing the speed at which something is moving, the preposition 'à' is most commonly used. You will frequently encounter phrases like 'à toute vitesse' (at top speed) or 'à une vitesse de...' (at a speed of...).

Le train filait à toute vitesse à travers la campagne.

It is incorrect to use 'avec' (with) in this context; saying 'avec vitesse' sounds unnatural to a native speaker. Another essential prepositional phrase is 'en vitesse', which translates to 'in a hurry' or 'quickly'. This is used when describing an action done hastily.

Je vais passer au supermarché en vitesse avant de rentrer.

In the realm of driving and mechanics, 'vitesse' is used in the plural to refer to gears. The term 'boîte de vitesses' (gearbox) always takes an 's' on 'vitesses' because a gearbox contains multiple gears.
Plural Usage
Used in the plural to refer to the mechanical gears of a vehicle.
When you want to say 'to change gears', the expression is 'changer de vitesse' or 'passer les vitesses'.

N'oublie pas de passer la troisième vitesse maintenant.

There are also specific verbs that frequently collocate with 'vitesse'. 'Prendre de la vitesse' means to gain speed or accelerate, while 'perdre de la vitesse' means to lose speed or decelerate. These verbs are used both literally, for vehicles, and metaphorically, for projects or trends.
Verbal Collocations
Commonly paired with verbs like prendre, perdre, gagner, and réduire.

Le projet commence enfin à prendre de la vitesse.

Furthermore, the expression 'passer à la vitesse supérieure' is a popular idiom meaning to kick things into high gear or to move to the next level of intensity or effort. When discussing legal limits, the term is 'limitation de vitesse' (speed limit), and exceeding it is an 'excès de vitesse' (speeding). Understanding these structural and collocational rules ensures that you deploy the word 'vitesse' accurately and naturally in any conversational or written context.
The word 'vitesse' is ubiquitous in the French language, appearing across a wide spectrum of contexts, from casual daily interactions to highly specialized fields. One of the most common places you will encounter this word is on the road and in discussions about driving. France has a strict and well-documented system of traffic laws, and 'limitation de vitesse' (speed limit) is a phrase every driver must know.

Respectez toujours la limitation de vitesse pour votre sécurité.

Road signs, GPS navigation systems, and traffic reports constantly reference 'vitesse'. If you are caught driving too fast, you will be cited for an 'excès de vitesse', a term frequently heard in news reports about road safety.
Traffic and Driving
The most common context, involving speed limits, speeding tickets, and vehicle mechanics.
In addition to traffic rules, the mechanical aspect of cars brings up 'vitesse' regularly. When buying a car, discussing a 'boîte de vitesses manuelle' (manual gearbox) versus a 'boîte de vitesses automatique' (automatic gearbox) is standard.

Je préfère conduire une voiture avec une boîte de vitesses manuelle.

Beyond the automotive world, 'vitesse' is a staple in sports commentary. Whether it is cycling in the Tour de France, Formula 1 racing, or track and field athletics, commentators frequently analyze the 'vitesse de pointe' (top speed) or 'vitesse moyenne' (average speed) of the athletes.

Le coureur a atteint une vitesse de pointe incroyable lors du sprint final.

In the realm of science and education, 'vitesse' is introduced early in physics classes. Students learn to calculate 'la vitesse' using distance and time, and they study fundamental constants like 'la vitesse de la lumière' (the speed of light) and 'la vitesse du son' (the speed of sound).
Science and Physics
Used to describe velocity, the speed of light, sound, and other scientific measurements.

La vitesse du son dans l'air est d'environ 340 mètres par seconde.

In everyday, informal conversation, you will hear 'vitesse' used metaphorically to describe the pace of life or work. People often complain about the 'vitesse' at which time passes or the 'vitesse' of modern technological changes. The phrase 'en vitesse' is incredibly common in spoken French to indicate that something is being done quickly or hastily, such as grabbing a coffee 'en vitesse' before catching a train.
Everyday Metaphors
Used to describe the pace of life, the speed of processes, or doing things in a hurry.

On a dû préparer le dossier en vitesse pour la réunion de ce matin.

Finally, in business and economics, a company or an economy might be described as being 'en perte de vitesse' (losing momentum) or trying to 'passer à la vitesse supérieure' (shift into high gear). Because it bridges the gap between the physical, the mechanical, and the metaphorical, 'vitesse' is a word you will hear everywhere from the garage to the boardroom, and from the classroom to the sports stadium.
When learning the French word 'vitesse', students frequently encounter a few specific stumbling blocks that can lead to unnatural or incorrect sentences. The most prevalent and persistent mistake is confusing the noun 'vitesse' (speed) with the adverb 'vite' (fast/quickly). Because English often uses 'speed' and 'fast' interchangeably in casual thought, learners try to map this directly onto French.

Il conduit très vite, sa vitesse est dangereuse.

You must use 'vite' to modify a verb (e.g., 'Il court vite' - He runs fast), and 'vitesse' when referring to the concept or measurement itself (e.g., 'Sa vitesse est grande' - His speed is great).
Vitesse vs. Vite
Vitesse is a noun (speed), while vite is an adverb (fast/quickly). Never mix their grammatical roles.
Another common error involves the choice of prepositions. English speakers often want to translate 'with speed' literally as 'avec vitesse'. While grammatically possible in some rare, archaic literary contexts, it sounds highly unnatural in modern French.

Il a agi avec rapidité, et non pas avec vitesse.

Instead of 'avec vitesse', native speakers use 'avec rapidité' or the adverbial phrase 'à toute vitesse'. Furthermore, when expressing the specific speed a vehicle is traveling, learners sometimes omit the preposition 'à' or use 'sur'. The correct structure is 'rouler à [number] km/h'.
Prepositions of Speed
Always use 'à' to indicate the rate, as in 'rouler à 100 km/h', never 'sur' or 'pour'.

Sur cette route, il est interdit de rouler à une vitesse supérieure à 80 km/h.

In the context of car mechanics, a frequent mistake is forgetting to make 'vitesse' plural when talking about a gearbox. A gearbox contains multiple gears, so it must be 'une boîte de vitesses', not 'une boîte de vitesse'.

Ma nouvelle voiture a une excellente boîte de vitesses.

This pluralization rule also applies to the gear shift lever, which is 'le levier de vitesses'.
Plural in Mechanics
Always add an 's' to 'vitesses' in terms like 'boîte de vitesses' and 'levier de vitesses'.
Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the gender of the word. Because it ends in '-esse', it is feminine, but beginners might mistakenly say 'le vitesse' or 'un grand vitesse'.

La vitesse excessive est la principale cause d'accidents.

By paying close attention to the noun/adverb distinction, using the correct prepositions, remembering the pluralization in mechanical terms, and strictly adhering to its feminine gender, learners can easily avoid these common pitfalls and use 'vitesse' with native-like accuracy.
The French language offers a rich vocabulary for expressing concepts related to speed, pace, and rapidity. While 'vitesse' is the most direct and common translation for 'speed', several similar words carry subtle nuances that are important for advanced fluency. One of the most common synonyms is 'rapidité'. While 'vitesse' often implies a measurable rate or a physical velocity, 'rapidité' emphasizes the quality of being fast, prompt, or quick in execution.

J'admire la rapidité avec laquelle il a résolu le problème, bien plus que sa vitesse d'exécution.

You would use 'rapidité' to describe someone's quick thinking or the promptness of a service, whereas 'vitesse' is better suited for a moving car.
Rapidité
Focuses on the quality of quickness or promptness rather than measurable physical speed.
Another closely related word is 'allure'. 'Allure' translates more closely to 'pace', 'gait', or 'speed' in the sense of a general rate of movement. It is often used in the context of walking, running, or driving to describe the manner or rhythm of the movement.

Nous marchions à une bonne allure, sans pour autant chercher la vitesse.

The phrase 'à toute allure' is a very common synonym for 'à toute vitesse' (at top speed). 'Rythme' (rhythm or pace) is another word that intersects with 'vitesse', especially when discussing the speed of abstract processes, like the pace of life ('le rythme de vie') or the pace of work.
Rythme
Used for the regular, repeated pattern of movement or the pace of abstract concepts like life or work.

Le rythme de cette musique est trop rapide, il faut réduire la vitesse de lecture.

For more literary or scientific contexts, you might encounter 'vélocité' and 'célérité'. 'Vélocité' is a direct cognate of velocity and is used similarly to 'vitesse' but often with a more technical or formal tone, sometimes referring specifically to the speed of movement of a person's limbs (like a pianist's fingers).

La vélocité de ses doigts sur le clavier compensait le manque de vitesse globale du morceau.

'Célérité' is a formal word meaning swiftness or dispatch, often used in administrative or legal contexts to describe the prompt handling of a matter.
Célérité
A formal term for swiftness or promptness, often used in administrative contexts.
Finally, words like 'hâte' (haste) and 'précipitation' (precipitation/rush) describe speed combined with urgency or a lack of care.

Il a agi avec précipitation, confondant la hâte et la véritable vitesse d'efficacité.

Understanding these distinctions allows a speaker to choose the exact word needed to convey not just the concept of speed, but the specific nature, quality, and context of that rapidity.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Difference between nouns and adverbs (vitesse vs vite)

Feminine noun agreements (une grande vitesse)

Pluralization rules for compound nouns (boîte de vitesses)

Use of preposition 'à' for rates and measurements

Idiomatic uses of 'en' (en vitesse)

수준별 예문

1

La voiture a une grande vitesse.

The car has a high speed.

'Vitesse' is a feminine noun, so we use 'une' and 'grande'.

2

Le train roule à grande vitesse.

The train travels at high speed.

'À grande vitesse' is a fixed phrase meaning 'at high speed'.

3

J'aime la vitesse.

I like speed.

Use the definite article 'la' for general concepts like speed.

4

La vitesse est dangereuse.

Speed is dangerous.

Adjective 'dangereuse' agrees with the feminine noun 'vitesse'.

5

Il regarde la vitesse du vélo.

He looks at the speed of the bike.

'Du' is the contraction of 'de le' (of the bike).

6

C'est une bonne vitesse.

It is a good speed.

'Bonne' is the feminine form of 'bon'.

7

La vitesse de l'animal est super.

The animal's speed is great.

'De l'' is used before a vowel sound.

8

Attention à la vitesse !

Careful with the speed!

'Attention à' means 'pay attention to' or 'careful with'.

1

Il y a une limitation de vitesse ici.

There is a speed limit here.

'Limitation de vitesse' is the standard term for speed limit.

2

Je dois manger en vitesse.

I have to eat in a hurry.

'En vitesse' is an idiom meaning 'in a hurry' or 'quickly'.

3

Le chat court à toute vitesse.

The cat is running at top speed.

'À toute vitesse' means 'at top speed'.

4

Quelle est la vitesse maximale ?

What is the maximum speed?

'Maximale' agrees with the feminine noun 'vitesse'.

5

Il roule à une vitesse de 80 km/h.

He is driving at a speed of 80 km/h.

Use 'à une vitesse de' to specify the exact speed.

6

J'ai fait mes devoirs en vitesse.

I did my homework quickly.

'En vitesse' can be used with past actions to mean 'hastily'.

7

Réduisez votre vitesse, s'il vous plaît.

Reduce your speed, please.

'Réduire sa vitesse' means to slow down.

8

La vitesse du vent est forte aujourd'hui.

The wind speed is strong today.

'Vitesse du vent' is the standard term for wind speed.

1

J'ai reçu une amende pour excès de vitesse.

I received a fine for speeding.

'Excès de vitesse' is the legal term for speeding.

2

Ma voiture a une boîte de vitesses manuelle.

My car has a manual gearbox.

'Boîte de vitesses' always takes an 's' on 'vitesses'.

3

L'avion commence à prendre de la vitesse sur la piste.

The plane is starting to gain speed on the runway.

'Prendre de la vitesse' means to accelerate or gain speed.

4

N'oublie pas de changer de vitesse dans la montée.

Don't forget to change gears on the climb.

'Changer de vitesse' means to shift gears.

5

Le train a soudainement perdu de la vitesse.

The train suddenly lost speed.

'Perdre de la vitesse' means to decelerate or slow down.

6

La vitesse moyenne du trajet était de 90 km/h.

The average speed of the journey was 90 km/h.

'Vitesse moyenne' means average speed.

7

Il a passé la troisième vitesse.

He shifted into third gear.

'Passer une vitesse' means to put the car into a specific gear.

8

Les radars contrôlent la vitesse des automobilistes.

Speed cameras monitor the speed of motorists.

'Contrôler la vitesse' means to monitor or check speed.

1

L'équipe a enfin trouvé sa vitesse de croisière.

The team has finally found its cruising speed.

'Vitesse de croisière' is used metaphorically for a steady, optimal pace.

2

Il est temps de passer à la vitesse supérieure.

It's time to shift into high gear.

'Passer à la vitesse supérieure' means to intensify efforts.

3

Le projet est actuellement en perte de vitesse.

The project is currently losing momentum.

'En perte de vitesse' means losing momentum or slowing down.

4

La vitesse de propagation du virus est inquiétante.

The speed of the virus's spread is worrying.

'Vitesse de propagation' is used for the spread of diseases or news.

5

Il faut adapter sa vitesse aux conditions météorologiques.

You must adapt your speed to the weather conditions.

'Adapter sa vitesse' is a common formal phrase for safe driving.

6

La vitesse d'exécution de ce programme est remarquable.

The execution speed of this program is remarkable.

'Vitesse d'exécution' refers to how fast a task or software runs.

7

Ils ont gagné en vitesse grâce à cette nouvelle méthode.

They gained speed thanks to this new method.

'Gagner en vitesse' means to become faster or more efficient.

8

La vitesse de rotation de la Terre est constante.

The Earth's rotation speed is constant.

'Vitesse de rotation' is a scientific term for rotational speed.

1

La nouvelle s'est répandue à la vitesse grand V.

The news spread at breakneck speed.

'À la vitesse grand V' is an idiom meaning extremely fast.

2

L'entreprise concurrente nous a pris de vitesse sur ce marché.

The competing company outpaced us in this market.

'Prendre de vitesse' means to act faster than someone else, catching them off guard.

3

Rien ne peut voyager plus vite que la vitesse de la lumière dans le vide.

Nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in a vacuum.

'Vitesse de la lumière' is the scientific term for the speed of light.

4

Le gouvernement a été accusé d'agir avec précipitation plutôt qu'avec une juste vitesse.

The government was accused of acting with haste rather than appropriate speed.

Contrasting 'précipitation' (haste) with 'vitesse' (speed/efficiency).

5

La vitesse d'acquisition des données est le goulot d'étranglement du système.

The data acquisition speed is the bottleneck of the system.

Technical usage in IT and engineering contexts.

6

Ce roman est fascinant par la vitesse de son intrigue.

This novel is fascinating due to the pacing of its plot.

'Vitesse' used in literary analysis to mean pacing or rhythm.

7

Il a enclenché la marche arrière toute vitesse.

He engaged reverse gear at full speed.

Combining mechanical terms ('marche arrière') with speed idioms.

8

La dromologie étudie le rôle de la vitesse dans les sociétés contemporaines.

Dromology studies the role of speed in contemporary societies.

Academic context referencing the philosophical study of speed.

1

La vélocité de ses arpèges compensait allègrement le manque de vitesse globale du mouvement.

The velocity of his arpeggios cheerfully compensated for the lack of overall speed in the movement.

Distinguishing between 'vélocité' (finger speed) and 'vitesse' (tempo).

2

La vitesse de libération est la vitesse minimale requise pour échapper à l'attraction gravitationnelle d'un astre.

Escape velocity is the minimum speed required to escape the gravitational pull of a celestial body.

'Vitesse de libération' is the exact translation for escape velocity.

3

Dans cette tragédie, la vitesse de la chute du héros est proportionnelle à son hybris.

In this tragedy, the speed of the hero's downfall is proportional to his hubris.

Highly literary use of 'vitesse' to describe narrative trajectory.

4

L'accélération fulgurante des échanges financiers impose une vitesse de réaction quasi instantanée.

The dazzling acceleration of financial exchanges imposes an almost instantaneous reaction speed.

Complex sentence structure typical of C2 economic analysis.

5

Il fustigeait la dictature de l'urgence, cette tyrannie de la vitesse qui aliène l'homme moderne.

He castigated the dictatorship of urgency, this tyranny of speed that alienates modern man.

Philosophical and sociological critique using 'vitesse' as a core concept.

6

La vitesse de sédimentation globulaire est un marqueur inflammatoire non spécifique.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a non-specific inflammatory marker.

Highly specialized medical terminology ('vitesse de sédimentation').

7

C'est avec une célérité remarquable, et non une simple vitesse, que l'administration a traité ce dossier épineux.

It was with remarkable dispatch, and not mere speed, that the administration handled this thorny file.

Nuanced distinction between 'célérité' (administrative promptness) and 'vitesse'.

8

L'auteur joue sur la vitesse d'élocution de ses personnages pour traduire leur névrose sous-jacente.

The author plays on the speaking rate of his characters to convey their underlying neurosis.

'Vitesse d'élocution' refers to the rate of speech in a literary/theatrical context.

자주 쓰는 조합

limitation de vitesse
excès de vitesse
prendre de la vitesse
perdre de la vitesse
vitesse de pointe
vitesse de croisière
boîte de vitesses
levier de vitesses
vitesse maximale
vitesse moyenne

자주 혼동되는 단어

vitesse vs vite

vitesse vs rapidité

vitesse vs allure

혼동하기 쉬운

vitesse vs

vitesse vs

vitesse vs

vitesse vs

vitesse vs

문장 패턴

사용법

literal

Used for physical speed of objects or people.

mechanical

Used in plural for the gears of a vehicle.

metaphorical

Used for the pace of abstract concepts like time, projects, or diseases.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'vite' as a noun (e.g., 'le vite' instead of 'la vitesse').
  • Saying 'avec vitesse' instead of 'rapidement' or 'à toute vitesse'.
  • Forgetting the 's' in 'boîte de vitesses'.
  • Using masculine articles ('le vitesse' instead of 'la vitesse').
  • Using the preposition 'sur' instead of 'à' for speed (e.g., 'rouler sur 100 km/h' instead of 'rouler à 100 km/h').

Gender is Feminine

Remember that 'vitesse' is a feminine noun. Always use 'la', 'une', or 'cette' with it. Saying 'le vitesse' is a very common beginner mistake. Correct usage is 'la grande vitesse'.

Vitesse vs. Vite

Never use 'vitesse' to describe how a verb is done. Use 'vite' for that. 'Vitesse' is the thing (speed), 'vite' is the manner (fast). Example: 'Il va vite' (He goes fast), not 'Il va vitesse'.

En Vitesse

Use 'en vitesse' when you are in a rush. It means 'in a hurry'. It is perfect for casual conversations. Example: 'Je passe te voir en vitesse' (I'll drop by to see you quickly).

Boîte de Vitesses

Always put an 's' on 'vitesses' when talking about a gearbox. It is 'une boîte de vitesses'. This is because the box contains multiple gears. The same applies to 'levier de vitesses' (gear stick).

Use 'À' for Speed

When stating how fast something is going, use the preposition 'à'. Do not use 'sur' or 'pour'. Say 'Il roule à 130 km/h'. This is the only correct preposition for this context.

Excès de Vitesse

Learn the term 'excès de vitesse'. It means speeding. If you drive in France, you need to know this term. It is what the police will write on your ticket.

Vitesse de Croisière

Use 'vitesse de croisière' to sound advanced. It means cruising speed. Use it to describe a project or a team that has found a good, steady rhythm. It shows a high level of vocabulary.

Vitesse Supérieure

The phrase 'passer à la vitesse supérieure' is great for business French. It means to step up your game or intensify efforts. Use it when you want to motivate a team. It literally means shifting to a higher gear.

Vitesse de la Lumière

In science, velocity is translated as 'vitesse'. The speed of light is 'la vitesse de la lumière'. The speed of sound is 'la vitesse du son'. These are fixed, standard terms.

Allure as a Synonym

If you want to vary your vocabulary, use 'allure'. 'À toute allure' means the exact same thing as 'à toute vitesse'. It adds flavor to your spoken and written French.

암기하기

어원

Latin

문화적 맥락

The TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) is a point of national pride, reaching speeds over 300 km/h.

France has strict speed limits: 130 km/h on highways (110 in rain), 80 or 90 on country roads, and 30 or 50 in cities.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"Quelle est la limitation de vitesse sur l'autoroute en France ?"

"Préfères-tu une voiture avec une boîte de vitesses manuelle ou automatique ?"

"As-tu déjà reçu une amende pour excès de vitesse ?"

"Penses-tu que la vitesse de la vie moderne est trop stressante ?"

"À quelle vitesse roule le TGV ?"

일기 주제

Racontez une fois où vous avez dû faire quelque chose en vitesse.

Décrivez votre voiture idéale et sa vitesse de pointe.

Que pensez-vous des limitations de vitesse à 30 km/h dans les grandes villes ?

Comment la vitesse d'Internet a-t-elle changé votre vie ?

Écrivez une histoire sur un train qui ne peut pas réduire sa vitesse.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Vitesse is a noun meaning speed. Vite is an adverb meaning fast or quickly. You use vitesse when referring to the concept of speed itself. You use vite to describe how an action is performed. For example, 'Il court vite' versus 'Sa vitesse est impressionnante.'

Vitesse is a feminine noun. You must always use feminine articles with it. For example, you say 'la vitesse' or 'une vitesse'. Any adjectives describing it must also be feminine, like 'une grande vitesse'. This is true for almost all French words ending in '-esse'.

The correct term for speed limit is 'limitation de vitesse'. You will see this phrase on road signs and hear it on the news. If you break the speed limit, it is called an 'excès de vitesse'. You might get an 'amende' (fine) for doing this.

The phrase 'boîte de vitesses' translates to gearbox. It takes an 's' on 'vitesses' because a gearbox contains multiple gears. Even if you are talking about one single gearbox (singular 'boîte'), it still holds many gears (plural 'vitesses'). Therefore, it is always written with an 's'.

No, saying 'avec vitesse' sounds very unnatural in modern French. If you want to say someone did something with speed, you should use an adverb like 'rapidement'. Alternatively, you can use the phrase 'à toute vitesse', which means at top speed. Avoid translating 'with speed' word-for-word.

The phrase 'en vitesse' is a very common idiom. It means to do something in a hurry or very quickly. For example, 'Je mange en vitesse' means 'I am eating in a hurry'. It implies that you don't have much time to complete the action.

To say 'to change gears', you use the phrase 'changer de vitesse'. You can also say 'passer les vitesses'. If you want to specify a gear, you say 'passer la première vitesse' (to shift into first gear) or 'passer la deuxième vitesse' (second gear).

This is a popular metaphorical idiom. Literally, it means to shift into a higher gear. Metaphorically, it means to kick things into high gear, to intensify your efforts, or to move to the next level. It is often used in business or sports contexts.

To express a specific speed, you use the preposition 'à'. The structure is 'rouler à [number] km/h'. For example, 'Il roule à 100 kilomètres par heure'. You can also say 'à une vitesse de 100 km/h'.

TGV stands for Train à Grande Vitesse. It translates to High-Speed Train. It is France's famous intercity high-speed rail service. Remembering what TGV stands for is a great way to remember the word 'vitesse'.

셀프 테스트 120 질문

/ 120 correct

Perfect score!

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