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campement

A2 noun #9,000 most common 7 min read

campement

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips campement in 30 Seconds

Explanation campement in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'un campement' is related to 'camping'. Think of it as the place where you put your tent. You might use it in a very simple sentence like 'Voici mon campement' (Here is my camp). You don't need to worry about complex military or humanitarian meanings yet. Focus on the fact that it is a masculine noun and that you 'install' it. It is a good word to learn when you talk about holidays or nature. If you go to a forest and put a tent there, that spot is your campement. It is a concrete noun that you can see and touch.

At the A2 level, you should be able to describe a 'campement' using basic adjectives. You might say 'C'est un petit campement' or 'Le campement est près de la rivière'. You should also start using the verb 'installer'. At this level, you begin to distinguish between 'faire du camping' (the activity) and 'installer un campement' (the specific action of setting up the site). You might also encounter this word in simple stories about scouts or adventurers. It's important to remember the gender (masculine) and the plural form (campements). You can now use it to talk about your weekend plans in nature with friends.

At the B1 level, you can use 'campement' in more varied contexts, such as travel reports or historical summaries. You should be comfortable using expressions like 'lever le campement' (to leave) and 'dresser le campement' (to set up). You can describe the conditions of a campement: was it 'confortable' or 'précaire'? You might also start seeing the word in news articles about social issues, like temporary housing. You understand that 'campement' implies something that is not permanent. You can participate in a discussion about where to set up a campement during a hike, considering factors like wind, water, and safety.

At the B2 level, you understand the sociological and political nuances of the word. You can discuss the 'campements de fortune' in urban areas and the humanitarian challenges they represent. You are aware of the military history associated with the word and can use it to describe strategic positions in a historical essay. You can use the word metaphorically or in more complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice ('un campement a été établi'). You can also compare 'campement' with synonyms like 'bivouac' or 'cantonnement' and explain why one is more appropriate than the other in a given context.

At the C1 level, you possess a deep understanding of the word's stylistic weight. You can use 'campement' in literary analysis to discuss themes of nomadism, transience, or the human condition in extreme environments. You are familiar with the word's presence in classical French literature (Hugo, Zola) and can appreciate how it evokes a specific atmosphere of hardship or adventure. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use related terms like 'campement paléolithique' in academic discussions about archaeology or 'campement de base' when discussing high-altitude mountaineering expeditions. You can navigate the subtle differences in register between technical, news-based, and poetic uses of the word.

At the C2 level, you have mastered 'campement' in all its forms, including rare and archaic uses. You can use it in highly sophisticated discourse, perhaps as a metaphor for a temporary state of mind or a philosophical 'encampment' of ideas. You understand the etymological journey from the Latin 'campus' to the modern French 'campement'. You can write professional reports on humanitarian logistics or military history using the term with absolute precision. You can also play with the word in creative writing, using its sounds and associations to create vivid, textured descriptions of life on the fringes of society or at the peak of exploration.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

campement in 30 Seconds

A masculine noun referring to a temporary outdoor living site using tents or portable shelters.
Commonly used in hiking, military, and humanitarian contexts to describe transient setups.
Often paired with verbs like 'installer', 'dresser', or 'lever' to describe the camp lifecycle.
Distinct from 'camping' (the activity) and 'camp' (which can be more permanent or institutional).

The French word campement is a masculine noun that refers to a temporary place of residence, typically established outdoors. While its most direct English translation is 'encampment' or 'camp,' it carries a specific nuance of the act of settling down for a short period. Unlike a permanent structure, a campement is defined by its transience and its reliance on portable shelters like tents, yurts, or even improvised materials. In modern French, you will encounter this word in three primary contexts: recreational hiking and backpacking, military operations, and humanitarian or social situations involving displaced persons.

The Recreational Context: In the world of outdoor activities, a campement is the site where hikers or scouts set up their tents for the night. It is the physical manifestation of the activity known as 'le camping'. For example, after a long day of walking in the Alps, a group might look for a flat area to establish their overnight base.
The Military and Historical Context: Historically, the term is deeply rooted in military terminology. It refers to the location where an army halts and sets up its quarters. This could range from a simple overnight stop to a more fortified semi-permanent base during a long campaign. It implies organization, hierarchy, and strategic positioning.
The Humanitarian and Social Context: In contemporary news, campement is frequently used to describe temporary settlements for refugees, migrants, or homeless populations. Phrases like 'campement de fortune' (makeshift camp) describe precarious living conditions in urban or border areas, highlighting the vulnerability and temporary nature of these sites.

Les explorateurs ont enfin atteint le plateau et ont commencé à dresser leur campement avant la tombée de la nuit.

Translation: The explorers finally reached the plateau and began to set up their camp before nightfall.

The word is versatile because it can describe something as small as a single tent in the woods or something as large as a military base for thousands of soldiers. It evokes a sense of being 'in the field' (en campagne), away from the comforts of permanent architecture. When you use this word, you are emphasizing the temporary nature of the dwelling and the surrounding environment.

L'armée a établi un campement fortifié sur la colline pour surveiller la vallée.

Using campement correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and the verbs that typically accompany it. In French, you don't just 'make' a camp; you 'install', 'dress', or 'establish' it. The choice of verb can subtly change the tone of your sentence from casual to formal or technical.

Installer un campement: This is the most common and neutral way to say 'to set up camp'. It is used for hikers, tourists, and general situations.
Exemple: Nous avons installé notre campement près de la source d'eau.
Dresser un campement: This verb is slightly more formal and literally means 'to erect' or 'to set up'. It often implies the physical act of putting up tents.
Exemple: Il a fallu deux heures pour dresser le campement sous la pluie.
Lever le campement: This idiomatic expression means 'to pack up camp' or 'to leave'. It is used when the stay is over and everything is being dismantled.
Exemple: Au lever du soleil, nous avons levé le campement pour continuer notre route.

Le campement était précaire, composé de simples bâches tendues entre les arbres.

You can also modify the noun with various adjectives to provide more detail. A campement de fortune is a makeshift camp, while a campement sauvage refers to illegal or unofficial camping in the wild. If you are talking about prehistoric times, you might refer to a campement paléolithique, showing that the word is equally at home in archaeology as it is in a modern travel blog.

If you are in France, you are likely to hear or read the word campement in several distinct environments. It is not a word reserved for dusty history books; it is very much alive in the modern French lexicon.

In the News: Journalists often report on 'les campements de migrants' in cities like Paris or Calais. These reports focus on the humanitarian conditions and the political response to these temporary settlements.
In Nature Documentaries: When watching a show about wildlife researchers or explorers in the Amazon or the Sahara, the narrator will frequently use 'campement' to describe their base of operations.
In Historical Fiction and Films: From movies about Napoleon to series like 'Vikings', any depiction of an army on the move will feature the word. You'll hear officers giving orders to 'établir le campement'.
In Hiking Communities: Enthusiasts of 'bivouac' (wild camping) will use the word to discuss the ethics of leaving no trace at their site.

À la télévision, on parle souvent du démantèlement d'un campement illégal en centre-ville.

Furthermore, the term appears in classical literature. Writers like Victor Hugo or Émile Zola used it to describe the gritty reality of workers or soldiers. In these contexts, the word often carries a connotation of hardship or lack of comfort, emphasizing the contrast between the stability of a home and the fragility of the camp.

English speakers often struggle with campement because of the overlapping meanings of 'camp', 'camping', and 'campsite'. Here are the most frequent errors to avoid.

Mistake 1: Using 'campement' for the activity: In English, you say 'I like camping'. In French, you say 'J'aime le camping'. You cannot say 'J'aime le campement'. The word 'campement' refers to the place/setup, not the hobby.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'camp' and 'campement': While often interchangeable, 'un camp' is often more permanent or institutional (e.g., 'un camp de vacances' for summer camp, 'un camp militaire' for a permanent base). 'Un campement' feels more temporary and physical—the actual tents and gear.
Mistake 3: Gender Errors: Many learners assume words ending in '-ent' might be feminine (perhaps confusing them with '-ance' or '-ence'). Always remember: un campement is masculine. Using 'la campement' is a common A1/A2 level mistake.

Incorrect: Nous avons fait un campement tout l'été. (Meaning: We did a camp setup all summer.)
Correct: Nous avons fait du camping tout l'été.

Depending on the context, you might want to use a more specific word than campement. French has a rich vocabulary for temporary stays.

Le Bivouac: This refers to a very light, temporary camp, often just for one night and without a heavy tent. It's the word used by serious mountaineers and hikers.
Exemple: Le bivouac est interdit dans cette partie du parc national.
Le Camp: A more general term. It can be a 'camp d'été' (summer camp) or a 'camp de concentration' (historical/heavy context). It implies a more structured or officially recognized location.
Le Cantonnement: Specifically military. It refers to the temporary lodging of troops in a village or in specific buildings, rather than just tents in a field.
L'Installation: A very broad term meaning 'setup' or 'installation'. You can use this if you want to be vague about what exactly was put in place.

Comparaison: 'Un campement' est l'objet physique, tandis que 'le bivouac' est souvent l'acte de dormir dehors de façon rustique.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The suffix '-ement' was added in the 16th century to denote the action or the result of camping. Before that, people just used the word 'camp'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɑ̃p.mɑ̃/

US /kɑ̃p.mɑ̃/

The stress in French is usually on the final syllable of the word: camp-MENT.

Rhymes With

appartement monument bâtiment mouvement gouvernement sentiment moment vêtement

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 't'.
Making the 'p' too explosive.
Failing to nasalize the vowels 'am' and 'en'.
Confusing it with the English word 'camping'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the root 'camp'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the nasal vowels and the '-ment' suffix.

Speaking 4/5

Difficult to master the nasal 'am' and 'en' sounds perfectly.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with other '-ment' words if not heard clearly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

camp tente nature dormir dehors

Learn Next

bivouac randonnée abri expédition nomade

Advanced

cantonnement transhumance sédentarité logistique précarité

Grammar to Know

Nouns ending in -ment are almost always masculine.

Un campement, un gouvernement, un bâtiment.

Nasal vowels 'am' and 'en' in the same word.

Campement [kɑ̃p.mɑ̃].

Adjective agreement with masculine nouns.

Un campement isolé.

Using 'de' for possession/origin.

Le campement de mon frère.

Prepositions of place with 'au'.

Je suis au campement (à + le).

Examples by Level

C'est mon campement.

This is my camp.

Use 'mon' because 'campement' is masculine.

Le campement est ici.

The camp is here.

Definite article 'le'.

Il y a un petit campement.

There is a small camp.

Indefinite article 'un'.

J'aime le campement.

I like the camp.

Direct object.

Où est le campement ?

Where is the camp?

Interrogative sentence.

Le campement est beau.

The camp is beautiful.

Masculine adjective 'beau'.

Nous voyons le campement.

We see the camp.

First person plural verb 'voyons'.

Le campement a une tente.

The camp has a tent.

Subject-verb-object.

Nous installons le campement près du lac.

We are setting up the camp near the lake.

Verb 'installer' is common with 'campement'.

Le campement est très calme la nuit.

The camp is very quiet at night.

Adverb 'très' modifying 'calme'.

Ils ont trouvé un bon campement.

They found a good camp.

Passé composé of 'trouver'.

Regarde ce grand campement là-bas !

Look at that big camp over there!

Demonstrative adjective 'ce'.

Le campement n'est pas loin de la forêt.

The camp is not far from the forest.

Negation 'ne...pas'.

Est-ce que le campement est prêt ?

Is the camp ready?

Question with 'Est-ce que'.

Nous partons du campement à huit heures.

We are leaving the camp at eight o'clock.

Preposition 'du' (de + le).

Il y a beaucoup de sacs au campement.

There are many bags at the camp.

Contraction 'au' (à + le).

Nous devons lever le campement avant la pluie.

We must pack up the camp before the rain.

Idiom 'lever le campement'.

Le campement de base se trouve au pied de la montagne.

The base camp is located at the foot of the mountain.

Reflexive verb 'se trouver'.

Ils ont dressé un campement de fortune pour la nuit.

They set up a makeshift camp for the night.

Expression 'de fortune' means makeshift.

La sécurité du campement est notre priorité.

The safety of the camp is our priority.

Noun as subject with a complement.

Le campement était entouré d'une petite clôture.

The camp was surrounded by a small fence.

Passive voice in the imperfect tense.

On peut entendre les bruits de la nature depuis le campement.

One can hear the sounds of nature from the camp.

Preposition 'depuis' indicating origin.

Chaque soir, nous nous retrouvons au campement.

Every evening, we meet back at the camp.

Reflexive verb 'se retrouver'.

Le campement semble abandonné depuis des jours.

The camp seems abandoned for days.

Verb 'sembler' followed by an adjective.

L'armée a établi un campement stratégique sur les hauteurs.

The army established a strategic camp on the heights.

Adjective 'stratégique' follows the noun.

Les conditions sanitaires du campement sont préoccupantes.

The sanitary conditions of the camp are worrying.

Agreement of the adjective 'préoccupantes' with 'conditions'.

Malgré le froid, le campement restait animé.

Despite the cold, the camp remained lively.

Conjunction 'malgré' followed by a noun.

Le démantèlement du campement illégal a commencé ce matin.

The dismantling of the illegal camp began this morning.

Noun 'démantèlement' used in a formal context.

Ils ont choisi un campement à l'abri du vent.

They chose a camp sheltered from the wind.

Expression 'à l'abri de'.

Le campement s'étendait sur plusieurs hectares.

The camp spread over several hectares.

Imperfect tense for description.

Il est interdit d'installer un campement sauvage ici.

It is forbidden to set up a wild camp here.

Impersonal 'Il est interdit de'.

Le campement servait de refuge aux voyageurs fatigués.

The camp served as a refuge for tired travelers.

Verb 'servir de' meaning 'to serve as'.

Le campement romain suivait un plan géométrique rigoureux.

The Roman camp followed a rigorous geometric plan.

Historical use of the word.

L'esthétique du campement reflète une vie de nomade.

The aesthetics of the camp reflect a nomadic life.

Abstract noun 'esthétique' as subject.

On a découvert les vestiges d'un campement préhistorique.

Remains of a prehistoric camp were discovered.

Scientific/Archaeological context.

Le campement était le théâtre de négociations diplomatiques.

The camp was the scene of diplomatic negotiations.

Metaphorical 'théâtre de'.

La précarité du campement souligne l'urgence humanitaire.

The precariousness of the camp highlights the humanitarian emergency.

Formal vocabulary like 'précarité'.

Le campement s'est transformé en une véritable petite ville.

The camp transformed into a real small town.

Reflexive 'se transformer' in passé composé.

L'organisation du campement était un chef-d'œuvre de logistique.

The organization of the camp was a masterpiece of logistics.

Compound noun 'chef-d'œuvre'.

Le silence pesait sur le campement après la bataille.

Silence weighed on the camp after the battle.

Literary/Poetic tone.

Le campement, dans sa fragilité intrinsèque, défie la permanence du bâti.

The camp, in its intrinsic fragility, defies the permanence of built structures.

Philosophical/Architectural commentary.

Chaque campement est une itération de l'errance humaine.

Every camp is an iteration of human wandering.

Highly abstract and academic tone.

L'éphémère du campement s'oppose à la sédentarité urbaine.

The ephemeral nature of the camp opposes urban sedentarity.

Use of 'l'éphémère' as a noun.

Le campement devient alors un espace de résistance politique.

The camp then becomes a space of political resistance.

Sociopolitical analysis.

Il décrit le campement comme un microcosme de la société.

He describes the camp as a microcosm of society.

Literary critique style.

La structure du campement obéit à des lois tacites de survie.

The structure of the camp obeys tacit laws of survival.

Formal verb 'obéir à'.

Le campement s'érige tel un bastion contre l'hostilité du désert.

The camp rises like a bastion against the desert's hostility.

Simile using 'tel un'.

L'analyse du campement révèle les strates de l'histoire coloniale.

The analysis of the camp reveals the layers of colonial history.

Complex academic sentence structure.

Common Collocations

campement de base

campement de fortune

campement militaire

campement sauvage

dresser un campement

lever le campement

installer un campement

campement nomade

petit campement

grand campement

Common Phrases

établir un campement

— To set up a formal camp.

L'explorateur a établi son campement.

un campement précaire

— An unstable or poorly equipped camp.

Ils vivent dans un campement précaire.

le site du campement

— The specific location of the camp.

Le site du campement est magnifique.

un campement de réfugiés

— A refugee camp.

Le campement de réfugiés s'agrandit.

quitter le campement

— To leave the camp.

Ils ont quitté le campement à l'aube.

rejoindre le campement

— To go back to the camp.

Nous devons rejoindre le campement avant la nuit.

un campement improvisé

— A camp made without planning.

Un campement improvisé dans la forêt.

la vie au campement

— Life in the camp.

La vie au campement est difficile.

le chef du campement

— The person in charge of the camp.

Le chef du campement donne les ordres.

un campement de toile

— A camp made of canvas/tents.

Un immense campement de toile.

Often Confused With

campement vs Camping

Refers to the activity or the commercial site, not the physical cluster of tents.

campement vs Campagne

Means 'countryside' or 'campaign'. Related root but very different meaning.

campement vs Camp

Often more permanent or institutional than 'campement'.

Idioms & Expressions

"lever le camp"

— To pack up and leave, often used metaphorically for ending a situation.

Il est temps de lever le camp.

Common

"être au campement"

— To be at the base/home base in a specific context.

Je reste au campement aujourd'hui.

Neutral

"un campement de fortune"

— A makeshift setup using whatever is available.

C'est un véritable campement de fortune !

Neutral

"décamper"

— To leave quickly or run away (derived from 'camp').

Les voleurs ont décampé à l'arrivée de la police.

Informal

"battre la campagne"

— To wander or to talk nonsense (related to 'campagne' - field).

Il bat la campagne avec ses histoires.

Idiomatic

"camp de base"

— A literal base camp, or metaphorically, a starting point.

C'est mon camp de base pour mes recherches.

Neutral

"en rase campagne"

— In the open field (related to military camp origins).

Ils ont été attaqués en rase campagne.

Neutral

"faire campement"

— To settle down for a bit.

Nous allons faire campement ici.

Neutral

"le campement de la raison"

— A metaphorical 'base' of logic (rare/poetic).

Il a quitté le campement de la raison.

Literary

"un campement de passage"

— A place where people only stay for a very short time.

Ce n'est qu'un campement de passage.

Neutral

Easily Confused

campement vs Bivouac

Both involve sleeping outside.

Bivouac is lighter, often without a tent, and for one night only.

Nous faisons un bivouac, pas un grand campement.

campement vs Cantonnement

Both involve military lodging.

Cantonnement often uses existing buildings in a town.

Les soldats sont en cantonnement dans le village.

campement vs Refuge

Both are places to stay in the mountains.

A refuge is a permanent building (cabin).

On dort au refuge, pas dans un campement.

campement vs Installation

Both mean a setup.

Installation is very general and can refer to machines or art.

L'installation du campement a pris du temps.

campement vs Hameau

Both are small settlements.

A hameau is a permanent tiny village.

Ce n'est pas un campement, c'est un hameau de trois maisons.

Sentence Patterns

C'est un [Adjective] campement.

C'est un grand campement.

Nous allons [Verb] le campement.

Nous allons installer le campement.

Le campement se trouve [Preposition] [Place].

Le campement se trouve près de la rivière.

Bien que le campement soit [Adjective], ...

Bien que le campement soit petit, il est confortable.

L'importance du campement réside dans...

L'importance du campement réside dans sa position stratégique.

Il s'agit d'un campement de type [Noun].

Il s'agit d'un campement de type militaire.

À travers le prisme du campement, on perçoit...

À travers le prisme du campement, on perçoit la fragilité humaine.

Nul ne saurait ignorer la précarité du campement.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, history, and outdoor contexts.

Common Mistakes

La campement → Le campement
The word is masculine.
J'aime le campement. → J'aime le camping.
Use 'camping' for the activity/hobby.
Nous avons campement hier. → Nous avons campé hier.
You need the verb 'camper' for the action.
Un campement permanent. → Une habitation permanente.
A 'campement' is by definition temporary.
Le campment → Le campement
Missing the 'e' before 'ment'.

Tips

Gender Rule

Remember that 99% of French nouns ending in -ment are masculine. This will help you with many words!

Verb Choice

Use 'dresser' for a more literary or precise tone when setting up a tent.

Nasal Vowels

The 'am' in campement is like the 'en' in 'enfant'. Keep your mouth open and let air go through your nose.

Humanitarian Use

When reading the news, 'campement' often refers to social issues. Look for adjectives like 'illégal' or 'insalubre'.

Metaphors

You can use 'campement' to describe something temporary in your life, like a 'campement de passage' in a city.

Spelling

Always check for the 'e' before the 'm'. It is a common spelling mistake for English speakers.

Silent Letters

Ignore the final 't'. Focus on the 'm' sound at the end of the nasal vowel.

Wild Camping

In France, 'le campement sauvage' is often restricted. Use the word 'bivouac' if you are talking about legal one-night stops.

Roman Camps

If you visit archaeological sites, look for the word 'campement' on information plaques.

Camp-Moment

Think of it as a 'Camp-Moment'—a camp for just a moment in time.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'CAMP' + 'CEMENT'. A 'campement' is where you 'cement' your camp into the ground (even if it's temporary).

Visual Association

Imagine a group of Roman soldiers setting up a grid of tents in a vast green field (campus).

Word Web

Tente Feu Nature Forêt Soldat Randonnée Bivouac Abris

Challenge

Write three sentences describing your dream campement using at least two different adjectives.

Word Origin

Derived from the French verb 'camper' (to camp), which comes from the noun 'camp'. The root is the Latin word 'campus', meaning 'field' or 'open space'.

Original meaning: The act of placing oneself in a field, specifically for military purposes.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'campement' in urban contexts; it can imply poverty or displacement, which requires a sensitive tone.

English speakers often say 'campsite' or 'campground'. In French, these are 'terrain de camping'. 'Campement' is more about the specific cluster of tents.

Le Camp du Drap d'Or (Historical event) The movie 'Camping' (Comedy, though it uses the activity name) Humanitarian reports from 'Médecins Sans Frontières'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hiking/Outdoors

Où est le campement ?
Installer la tente au campement.
Le campement est près de l'eau.
On lève le campement demain.

Military History

Un campement fortifié.
Le campement de César.
Attaquer le campement.
Garder le campement.

Humanitarian Aid

Un campement de réfugiés.
Aide pour le campement.
Conditions de vie au campement.
Démanteler le campement.

Archeology

Un campement préhistorique.
Fouilles sur le campement.
Vestiges du campement.
Outils trouvés au campement.

Scouting

Le campement des scouts.
Organiser le campement.
Le feu du campement.
Dormir au campement.

Conversation Starters

"As-tu déjà installé un campement en pleine montagne ?"

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

"Préfères-tu un campement sauvage ou un camping officiel ?"

"Quels sont les objets essentiels pour un bon campement ?"

"Est-il difficile de lever le campement quand il pleut ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez votre campement idéal dans la forêt. Quelles sont les odeurs et les bruits ?

Imaginez que vous êtes un explorateur du 18ème siècle. Décrivez votre campement après une longue journée.

Pensez-vous que les campements de fortune en ville devraient être autorisés ? Pourquoi ?

Racontez une expérience où vous avez dû dresser un campement en urgence.

Quelle est la différence pour vous entre une maison et un campement ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Mostly, but it can also refer to any temporary shelter like yurts, huts, or even tarps.

Usually, we use 'colonie de vacances' or 'camp de vacances'. 'Campement' would refer to the physical site if they are sleeping in tents.

'Un camping' is a business where you pay to park a caravan or pitch a tent. 'Un campement' is the actual setup of tents.

It is masculine: un campement.

You say 'lever le camp' or 'lever le campement'.

Yes, it is very common in news reports to describe temporary refugee settlements.

No, the final 't' is silent.

It means a makeshift or improvised camp using whatever materials are available.

Yes, it is common in specific contexts like travel, news, and history.

It's better to say 'installer' or 'dresser' a campement, but 'faire' is understood in informal speech.