burro in 30 Seconds
- L'âne is the French word for donkey, a masculine noun beginning with a vowel, requiring the article 'l'âne'.
- It is culturally significant in France as a symbol of both rural hard work and intellectual stubbornness or stupidity.
- Commonly used in idioms like 'têtu comme un âne' and historical references like the 'bonnet d'âne'.
- Do not confuse it with the Spanish word 'burro', which is not used in standard French.
The French word for donkey is âne. While the prompt mentions 'burro', it is critical to note that burro is the Spanish and Italian term; in the French language, we exclusively use âne (masculine) or ânesse (feminine). This animal has been a cornerstone of French rural life for centuries, particularly in regions like Provence, the Île de Ré, and the Auvergne. Unlike the horse, which was often associated with nobility and warfare, the donkey was the 'worker of the poor,' a resilient and sturdy companion used for transporting goods, salt, and agricultural produce across terrain where carts could not go.
- Zoological Classification
- The animal belongs to the family Equidae. In French, the species is Equus africanus asinus. It is characterized by its long ears and a distinct braying sound known as le braiement.
L' âne porte des sacs de lavande sur les sentiers de Provence.
In modern usage, the word is frequently used metaphorically. To call someone an 'âne' in French is to imply they are stupid or ignorant, similar to the English 'jackass' or 'dunce.' This association is so strong that historically, children who performed poorly in school were forced to wear a bonnet d'âne (dunce cap). However, there is also a positive connotation of persistence; being têtu comme un âne (stubborn as a donkey) suggests a level of determination that, while frustrating, is also admirable in its own way.
- Common Varieties
- L'âne du Cotentin, l'âne de Provence, and the famous Grand Noir du Berry are recognized French breeds with specific historical roles.
Ne fais pas l'âne pour avoir du son.
The term is also used in technical fields. For instance, a pont aux ânes (donkey's bridge) refers to a basic principle that even the most ignorant should know, or a logical transition that is overly simplistic. In literature, the 'âne' appears in the fables of Jean de La Fontaine, often representing the common man or a figure of misplaced ambition. Understanding this word requires balancing its literal agricultural roots with its deep-seated status as a symbol of human folly and rustic simplicity.
Grammatically, âne is a masculine noun. Because it begins with a vowel, the definite article le contracts to l' (l'âne), and the indefinite article un links with a 'n' sound (/œ̃.nɑn/). When speaking about a female donkey, use une ânesse. The plural is regular: des ânes. It is often paired with adjectives that reinforce its perceived traits, such as têtu (stubborn), patient (patient), or gris (grey).
- Similes and Comparisons
- French speakers love using the donkey as a point of comparison. For example, 'C'est un âne bâté' refers to someone who is a complete blockhead or incredibly stupid despite their education.
L'enfant a reçu un bonnet d'âne car il ne connaissait pas ses leçons.
When describing the animal's actions, the verb braire (to bray) is essential. You might hear: 'J'entends l'âne braire dans le pré' (I hear the donkey braying in the meadow). In a more figurative sense, the word 'âne' can be used to describe a mistake or a blunder, though 'ânerie' (donkey-ism) is the specific noun for a stupid mistake or nonsense.
On ne saurait faire boire un âne qui n'a pas soif.
In conversation, you might encounter the word in the context of hiking. 'Randonner avec un âne' is a popular French pastime where the donkey carries the hikers' luggage. In these sentences, the donkey is treated as a companion: 'Notre âne, nommé Barnabé, nous a suivis tout au long du GR10.' Here, the word is used neutrally and affectionately, stripping away the pejorative connotations found in academic or insulting contexts.
The word âne resonates through various layers of French society, from children's nurseries to philosophical debates. If you are in a French primary school, you might hear teachers or students mention the bonnet d'âne, even though the physical practice is banned. It remains a powerful cultural reference for academic failure. In the countryside, especially during 'foires' (fairs), the word is ubiquitous as farmers trade livestock.
Mon âne, mon âne, a bien mal à sa tête...
In the world of philosophy and logic, you will hear about L'âne de Buridan. This is a famous paradox involving a donkey that is both hungry and thirsty and is placed exactly midway between a stack of hay and a pail of water. Because it cannot find a rational reason to choose one over the other, it dies of both hunger and thirst. This story is frequently cited in French intellectual circles when discussing indecision and free will.
In culinary contexts, particularly in the south of France, you might hear about saucisson d'âne. While traditional, much of what is sold as donkey sausage in tourist markets is actually pork, leading to frequent discussions about authenticity. Finally, in casual slang, 'âne' is a common, mild insult used between friends or by parents to children: 'Arrête de faire l'âne !' (Stop acting like an idiot/clowning around!).
The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing the French âne with the Spanish burro. While 'burro' is well-known globally due to Spanish influence, it does not exist in the French language. Using 'burro' in France will likely result in confusion or people thinking you are talking about beurre (butter), which sounds somewhat similar if mispronounced.
- Pronunciation Pitfalls
- The circumflex accent on the 'â' in âne indicates that a historical 's' has been dropped (from the Latin asinus). In some French dialects, this 'â' is pronounced longer and more closed than a regular 'a'. Mistaking âne (/ɑn/) for an (/ɑ̃/ - year) is a common error; the first has a clear 'n' sound, while the second is a nasal vowel.
J'ai un âne (I have a donkey) vs. J'ai un an (I am one year old - grammatically incorrect but phonetically close).
Another mistake is the gender of the animal. While 'âne' is the general term, referring to a female donkey as 'un âne' is technically incorrect in a farm setting; you should use 'une ânesse'. Similarly, many learners confuse 'un âne' with 'un mulet' (a mule). A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, and in French culture, they have very different reputations—the mule is seen as even more stubborn but much stronger.
Lastly, avoid using 'âne' as an insult in formal situations. While it's milder than many English swear words, it is still considered quite rude in a professional or respectful environment. It characterizes the person as having a lack of intelligence, which can be deeply offensive depending on the tone.
French has several words to describe donkeys or donkey-like animals, each with its own register and nuance. Depending on whether you are in a barn, a classroom, or reading a 17th-century fable, you might choose a different term.
- Bourricot
- This is an informal, often affectionate term for a donkey. It's similar to 'donkey' vs 'burro' in English or 'burrito' in Spanish. It is often used for small donkeys or in a friendly, teasing way.
- Baudet
- A more technical or regional term, often referring to a male donkey used for breeding. The 'Baudet du Poitou' is one of the most famous and oldest French breeds, known for its long, shaggy coat.
Le petit bourricot trottine sur le chemin.
If you are looking for synonyms for the 'stupidity' aspect of the word, you might use sot (foolish), bête (stupid/animal-like), or idiot. However, âne remains the most classic metaphorical animal for this trait. If you are comparing it to other pack animals, you would use mulet (mule) or bardot (the offspring of a male horse and a female donkey).
In literary contexts, you might see aliboron, a name given to the donkey in La Fontaine's fables (Maître Aliboron), which has since become a slightly archaic way to refer to someone who pretends to be capable but is actually a fool.
How Formal Is It?
""
""
""
""
""
Fun Fact
The circumflex accent over the 'â' in 'âne' is a 'tombstone' for the 's' that used to be in the word (asne). This is common in French (e.g., hospital > hôpital).
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it like 'an' (year), which is a nasal vowel /ɑ̃/.
- Pronouncing it like 'âme' (soul), which ends in an 'm' sound.
- Misplacing the emphasis, though it is only one syllable.
- Confusing it with the Spanish 'burro' (/ˈburo/).
- Failing to make the 'n' sound clear at the end.
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to recognize, short word.
The circumflex accent is often forgotten by learners.
Distinguishing the /ɑn/ from the nasal /ɑ̃/ (an) requires practice.
Easy to hear, though can be confused with 'âme' in fast speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Contraction of articles with vowels
Le + âne = l'âne.
Liaison with 'un'
Un(n)âne.
Demonstrative adjective before vowel
Cet âne (not ce âne).
Plural of nouns ending in 'e'
Un âne -> des ânes.
Feminine forms of animal names
L'âne -> l'ânesse.
Examples by Level
L'âne est dans le jardin.
The donkey is in the garden.
Use 'L' ' because 'âne' starts with a vowel.
C'est un petit âne.
It is a small donkey.
Liaison: un(n)âne.
L'âne mange une pomme.
The donkey eats an apple.
Subject + Verb + Object.
Le cri de l'âne est fort.
The donkey's cry is loud.
Possession with 'de'.
J'ai vu un âne gris.
I saw a grey donkey.
Adjective 'gris' comes after the noun.
L'âne a de longues oreilles.
The donkey has long ears.
'Longues' is plural feminine to match 'oreilles'.
Où est l'âne ?
Where is the donkey?
Interrogative sentence.
L'âne est mon ami.
The donkey is my friend.
Possessive adjective 'mon'.
Il est têtu comme un âne.
He is as stubborn as a donkey.
Comparative 'comme'.
Le fermier utilise l'âne pour porter le bois.
The farmer uses the donkey to carry wood.
Infinitive 'pour porter'.
Nous avons fait une randonnée avec un âne.
We went on a hike with a donkey.
Passé composé of 'faire'.
L'ânesse s'occupe de son petit ânon.
The female donkey takes care of her little foal.
Female form 'ânesse' and baby 'ânon'.
Ne sois pas un âne, écoute-moi !
Don't be an idiot, listen to me!
Imperative negative.
L'âne porte un licol rouge.
The donkey wears a red halter.
Direct object 'un licol'.
Il y a trois ânes dans ce pré.
There are three donkeys in this meadow.
Plural 'ânes'.
L'âne préfère manger du foin sec.
The donkey prefers to eat dry hay.
Partitive article 'du'.
Ce n'est pas la peine de faire l'âne pour avoir du son.
There's no point in playing dumb to get what you want.
Proverbial expression.
Le bonnet d'âne était autrefois une punition à l'école.
The dunce cap was formerly a punishment at school.
Historical context.
L'âne est un animal très rustique qui demande peu de soins.
The donkey is a very hardy animal that requires little care.
Relative clause 'qui demande'.
Il a écrit une ânerie dans son rapport.
He wrote a piece of nonsense in his report.
Noun derived from 'âne'.
On l'appelle le pont aux ânes de la géométrie.
It's called the 'donkey's bridge' of geometry (a basic principle).
Idiomatic 'pont aux ânes'.
L'âne de Provence est connu pour sa croix de Saint-André sur le dos.
The Provence donkey is known for the Saint Andrew's cross on its back.
Passive voice 'est connu'.
Il est inutile de crier, il est sourd comme un âne.
It's useless to shout, he's as deaf as a post (literally: as a donkey).
Simile.
Le lait d'ânesse est utilisé dans les produits de beauté.
Donkey milk is used in beauty products.
Genitive construction.
La Fontaine met souvent en scène un âne pour critiquer la vanité humaine.
La Fontaine often features a donkey to criticize human vanity.
Literary analysis.
L'âne bâté est une insulte pour quelqu'un de stupide malgré ses diplômes.
A 'saddled donkey' is an insult for someone stupid despite their degrees.
Metaphorical usage.
Malgré sa réputation, l'âne est doté d'une grande intelligence émotionnelle.
Despite its reputation, the donkey possesses great emotional intelligence.
Conjunction 'Malgré'.
Le Baudet du Poitou se distingue par ses longs poils laineux.
The Poitou donkey is distinguished by its long woolly hair.
Pronominal verb 'se distingue'.
Il ne faut pas charger l'âne plus qu'il ne peut porter.
One must not load the donkey more than it can carry.
Expletive 'ne' after 'plus que'.
La fête de l'âne est une tradition médiévale curieuse.
The Feast of the Ass is a curious medieval tradition.
Historical noun phrase.
L'âne trotte sur le pavé, réveillant tout le village.
The donkey trots on the cobblestones, waking up the whole village.
Present participle 'réveillant'.
Il s'est comporté comme un véritable âne lors de la réunion.
He behaved like a real ass during the meeting.
Simile with 'véritable'.
Le paradoxe de l'âne de Buridan illustre l'incapacité à choisir.
Buridan's ass paradox illustrates the inability to choose.
Philosophical terminology.
L'animalité de l'âne est ici transcendée par la poésie de l'auteur.
The donkey's animality is here transcended by the author's poetry.
Abstract academic tone.
Maître Aliboron, tel que nommé par La Fontaine, reste une figure emblématique.
Master Aliboron, as named by La Fontaine, remains an emblematic figure.
Archaic literary name.
La condition de l'âne dans 'Au hasard Balthazar' est une allégorie du Christ.
The donkey's condition in 'Au hasard Balthazar' is an allegory of Christ.
Cinematic analysis.
Il a débité une suite d'âneries plus grosses les unes que les autres.
He spouted a series of nonsense, each piece bigger than the last.
Idiomatic 'les unes que les autres'.
La peau d'âne, dans le conte de Perrault, sert de camouflage à la princesse.
The donkey skin, in Perrault's tale, serves as camouflage for the princess.
Folklore reference.
L'âne, par son braiement, rompt le silence de la lande désolée.
The donkey, through its braying, breaks the silence of the desolate moor.
Literary syntax.
On ne saurait transformer un âne en cheval de course par de simples mots.
One cannot turn a donkey into a racehorse through mere words.
Conditional of 'savoir' used as 'can'.
L'ontologie de l'âne dans l'œuvre de Francis Jammes révèle une mystique de la simplicité.
The ontology of the donkey in Francis Jammes' work reveals a mysticism of simplicity.
High-level literary criticism.
Le terme 'asinien' qualifie tout ce qui a trait à l'âne dans un registre soutenu.
The term 'asinine' (asinien) describes everything related to the donkey in a formal register.
Rare adjective usage.
L'âne, ce paria de la création, trouve sa rédemption dans la littérature rustique.
The donkey, this pariah of creation, finds its redemption in rustic literature.
Apposition and metaphorical language.
La figure de l'âne est consubstantielle à l'imaginaire paysan français.
The figure of the donkey is consubstantial with the French peasant imagination.
Advanced vocabulary 'consubstantielle'.
Vouloir blanchir la tête d'un âne est une perte de temps absolue.
Wanting to wash a donkey's head is an absolute waste of time (trying to teach the unteachable).
Obscure proverb.
L'âne de Sancho Panza, bien que secondaire, n'en est pas moins essentiel au récit.
Sancho Panza's donkey, though secondary, is nonetheless essential to the narrative.
Double negation 'n'en est pas moins'.
L'épithète 'âne' est ici employée de manière métonymique pour désigner l'obstination.
The epithet 'donkey' is used here metonymically to designate stubbornness.
Rhetorical terminology.
L'âne, dans sa stoïque patience, semble porter le poids des siècles.
The donkey, in its stoic patience, seems to carry the weight of centuries.
Elevated poetic style.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To play dumb to get what you want.
Il fait l'âne pour avoir du son, mais il est malin.
— You can't force someone to do something against their will.
Inutile d'insister, on ne saurait faire boire un âne qui n'a pas soif.
— It's something so simple everyone should know it.
Cette règle de grammaire est le pont aux ânes.
— To overwhelm someone with work or blame.
Ils ont encore chargé l'âne avec ce nouveau projet.
— A treacherous attack from someone you thought was weak or defeated.
Sa critique en fin de réunion était un vrai coup de pied de l'âne.
— To jump from one subject to another without transition.
Elle passe souvent du coq à l'âne dans ses récits.
— To destroy something valuable for a small gain.
Vendre cette usine, c'est tuer l'âne pour la peau.
— Don't jump to conclusions; many people share the same traits/names.
Ne sois pas sûr que c'est lui, il y a plus d'un âne à la foire qui s'appelle Martin.
— Referring to someone who is the victim of a story.
Il s'est retrouvé dans le rôle de l'âne de la fable.
— Fairy tales (specifically referring to Perrault's).
Elle adore les contes de Peau d'Âne.
Often Confused With
This is Spanish. In French, use 'âne'.
Means 'year'. It is a nasal vowel, while 'âne' has a clear 'n'.
Means 'soul'. Ends in 'm' instead of 'n'.
Idioms & Expressions
— Extremely stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind.
Il refuse de s'excuser, il est têtu comme un âne.
neutral— To change the subject abruptly in a confusing way.
Je ne comprends rien, tu passes du coq à l'âne.
informal— A symbol of stupidity or academic failure.
Si tu ne travailles pas, tu auras le bonnet d'âne.
neutral— A very stupid person, often used for someone who should know better.
Quel âne bâté ! Il a oublié ses clés encore une fois.
informal— An easy task or a basic principle.
Le théorème de Pythagore est le pont aux ânes des mathématiques.
neutral— To act foolishly or pretend ignorance to gain an advantage.
Elle fait l'âne pour avoir du son et éviter les corvées.
informal— The pot calling the kettle black.
Tu me trouves lent ? C'est l'âne qui parle de ses oreilles !
informal— A cowardly or unexpected attack from a weak person.
Sa démission soudaine fut un coup de pied de l'âne.
literary— To look for something that is right in front of you.
Il cherchait ses lunettes partout; c'était comme chercher son âne alors qu'on est dessus.
informal— To do something the wrong way around.
Tu commences par la fin, tu brides l'âne par la queue.
old-fashionedEasily Confused
Phonetic similarity.
'An' is a nasal sound /ɑ̃/, 'âne' is a clear oral vowel followed by /n/.
J'ai dix ans (10 years) vs J'ai dix ânes (10 donkeys).
The name Anne sounds identical.
Context usually clarifies if you are talking about a person or an animal.
Anne est là vs L'âne est là.
Similar spelling and sound.
'Âme' ends in /m/, 'âne' ends in /n/.
L'âme humaine vs L'âne de la ferme.
A French department name.
Spelled differently and usually preceded by 'dans l''.
J'habite dans l'Aisne.
Means 'hate'.
Starts with an 'h' (though silent) and has an 'eh' sound /ɛn/.
La haine est mauvaise.
Sentence Patterns
L'âne est + [Adjective].
L'âne est gris.
C'est un âne + [Adjective].
C'est un âne têtu.
Il est [Adjective] comme un âne.
Il est bête comme un âne.
Faire l'âne pour + [Infinitive].
Il fait l'âne pour ne pas travailler.
Le [Noun] de l'âne.
Le braiement de l'âne nous a réveillés.
Une suite d'âneries.
Il a débité une suite d'âneries.
Il y a un âne dans + [Place].
Il y a un âne dans le pré.
Utiliser l'âne pour + [Infinitive].
On utilise l'âne pour porter les bagages.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in rural and metaphorical contexts.
-
Le âne
→
L'âne
French requires elision before a vowel.
-
Un burro
→
Un âne
'Burro' is Spanish, not French.
-
Il est têtu comme un cheval
→
Il est têtu comme un âne
The idiom specifically uses the donkey for stubbornness.
-
J'ai dix ans (meaning 10 donkeys)
→
J'ai dix ânes
Confusing the nasal 'an' with the oral 'âne'.
-
Un ane
→
Un âne
Forgetting the circumflex accent.
Tips
Clear N
Make sure to pronounce the 'n' at the end of 'âne' very clearly. If you don't, it will sound like the nasal 'an' (year).
Use ânerie
Instead of just saying 'bêtise', use 'ânerie' to sound more native when someone does something stupid.
Île de Ré
Mention 'les ânes en culotte' (donkeys in trousers) if you want to show off your knowledge of French regional culture.
L' vs Le
Always use 'l'âne' because the word starts with a vowel. Never say 'le âne'.
Coq à l'âne
Use 'passer du coq à l'âne' when someone changes the subject too quickly.
The Hat
The circumflex accent is mandatory. Think of it as the donkey's ears.
Bourricot
Use 'bourricot' for a cuter, more friendly way to refer to a donkey.
Buridan
In a debate, use 'l'âne de Buridan' to describe someone who can't make a choice.
Hardy
Remember that 'âne' implies 'rustique' (hardy) in French agricultural contexts.
Bonnet History
Understand that 'bonnet d'âne' is a sensitive historical topic in French schools.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of an 'âne' having a 'hat' (the circumflex accent) because he was a bad student (the bonnet d'âne).
Visual Association
Imagine a donkey standing in front of a big letter 'A' with a hat on top of the 'A'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'têtu comme un âne' in a sentence about a friend today.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin word 'asinus', which refers to the same animal. The word has been present in Old French as 'asne'.
Original meaning: The domestic donkey.
Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French.Cultural Context
Calling someone an 'âne' is an insult to their intelligence. Use with caution.
English speakers often think of 'donkey' as a neutral or cute animal, whereas in French, the 'stupidity' metaphor is much more culturally ingrained via the school system.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
On a farm
- Nourrir l'âne
- Brosser l'âne
- L'étable de l'âne
- L'âne brait
In school (figurative)
- Le bonnet d'âne
- Quelle ânerie !
- Une faute d'âne
- Écrire comme un âne
Hiking
- Louer un âne
- Le bât de l'âne
- L'âne porte les sacs
- Suivre l'âne
Insults
- Espèce d'âne !
- Gros âne !
- Têtu comme un âne
- Âne bâté
Literature/Tales
- La peau d'âne
- L'âne de la fable
- Maître Aliboron
- L'âne et le lion
Conversation Starters
"As-tu déjà fait une randonnée avec un âne ?"
"Que penses-tu de l'expression 'têtu comme un âne' ?"
"Sais-tu pourquoi on mettait un bonnet d'âne aux enfants autrefois ?"
"As-tu déjà goûté au saucisson d'âne ?"
"Quel est ton animal de ferme préféré ?"
Journal Prompts
Décris un âne que tu as vu dans un film ou dans un livre.
Imagine que tu passes une journée à t'occuper d'un âne dans une ferme française.
Est-ce que tu penses que les ânes sont vraiment têtus ou simplement intelligents ?
Écris une petite histoire sur un âne qui voulait devenir un cheval de course.
Pourquoi le 'bonnet d'âne' est-il un symbole si fort en France ?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'burro' is not a French word. It is Spanish. The French word is 'âne'. Using 'burro' in France will mark you as a non-French speaker.
The feminine form is 'une ânesse'. It is used specifically for female donkeys.
The circumflex accent (^) indicates that there used to be an 's' after the 'a' in Old French ('asne').
It is a mild to moderate insult. It's like calling someone a 'dunce' or 'idiot'. It's not a swear word, but it's not polite.
It means 'stubborn as a donkey'. It's used to describe someone who refuses to change their mind.
It's a dunce cap with paper donkey ears that was historically put on students who didn't learn their lessons.
The verb is 'braire' and the sound is often written as 'Hi-Han!'.
Yes, 'saucisson d'âne' exists, especially in the South, though it's often a mix of meats.
A baby donkey is called 'un ânon'.
An 'âne' is a pure species. A 'mulet' (mule) is a hybrid of a male donkey and a female horse.
Test Yourself 103 questions
Traduisez : 'The grey donkey is in the meadow.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Utilisez 'têtu comme un âne' dans une phrase.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Décrivez physiquement un âne en deux phrases.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Traduisez : 'Don't act like an idiot.' (using âne)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Expliquez ce qu'est un 'bonnet d'âne'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Prononcez : L'âne
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Prononcez : Têtu comme un âne
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and write: L'âne brait dans la ferme.
/ 103 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'âne' is a versatile French noun that refers to the animal (donkey) and serves as a mild metaphorical insult for stupidity. Example: 'Il est têtu comme un âne' (He is as stubborn as a donkey).
- L'âne is the French word for donkey, a masculine noun beginning with a vowel, requiring the article 'l'âne'.
- It is culturally significant in France as a symbol of both rural hard work and intellectual stubbornness or stupidity.
- Commonly used in idioms like 'têtu comme un âne' and historical references like the 'bonnet d'âne'.
- Do not confuse it with the Spanish word 'burro', which is not used in standard French.
Clear N
Make sure to pronounce the 'n' at the end of 'âne' very clearly. If you don't, it will sound like the nasal 'an' (year).
Use ânerie
Instead of just saying 'bêtise', use 'ânerie' to sound more native when someone does something stupid.
Île de Ré
Mention 'les ânes en culotte' (donkeys in trousers) if you want to show off your knowledge of French regional culture.
L' vs Le
Always use 'l'âne' because the word starts with a vowel. Never say 'le âne'.
Example
In context, `burro` expresses: donkey.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More false_friends words
acheter
A2Primary meaning: to buy.
actuel
A2Primary meaning: current, present.
actuellement
A2Primary meaning: currently, nowadays.
affaire
A2Primary meaning: business, matter, deal.
ancien
A2Primary meaning: former, old.
annoyer
A2Primary meaning: to annoy.
assister
A2Primary meaning: to attend.
attendre
A2Primary meaning: to wait.
audience
A2Primary meaning: hearing, formal meeting.
avertir
A2Primary meaning: to warn, notify.
