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A2 noun 5 min read

provisions

Examples Notes & Tips provisions in 30 Seconds
Explanation provisions in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of 'provisions' as a fancy word for 'shopping'. When you go to the store to buy bread, milk, and eggs for the week, you are making 'provisions'. In your early French studies, you will mostly see this in the phrase 'faire les provisions'. Imagine you are telling a friend that you need to go to the supermarket because your fridge is empty. You might say, 'Je dois faire les provisions'. While 'faire les courses' is more common in daily conversation, 'provisions' is a useful word to know because it appears on signs in markets or in simple stories about animals gathering food for the winter. It is always plural in this context, and it is a feminine word. So, you would say 'les provisions' or 'des provisions'. Practice by thinking about what you buy every week at the store. Those are your provisions.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'provisions' to describe preparation for specific activities. If you are planning a picnic with friends, you need to buy 'des provisions'. If you are going on a short hiking trip, you pack 'des provisions' in your backpack. At this level, you should distinguish between 'faire les courses' (everyday shopping) and 'faire des provisions' (stocking up). The word 'provisions' implies that you are getting things ready for a time when you won't be able to shop. For example, 'Nous faisons des provisions pour le voyage'. You should also notice that adjectives following 'provisions' must be feminine and plural, such as 'des provisions fraîches' (fresh supplies). You might also see this word in simple news articles about people preparing for a storm or a holiday when shops are closed. It's a key word for survival and planning.
At the B1 level, you will encounter 'provisions' in more varied contexts, including literature and slightly more formal discussions. You'll move beyond just food and see it used for other supplies like 'provisions de bois' (wood supplies) or 'provisions d'eau' (water supplies). You might use it to describe a character in a story who is 'prévoyant' (farsighted) because they have made a 'grosse provision' of something. This level also introduces the metaphorical use of the word, such as having a 'provision de patience' (a stock of patience), although this is less common than the physical meaning. You should be able to use verbs like 'stocker', 'épuiser', and 'renouveler' with 'provisions'. For instance, 'Il est nécessaire de renouveler nos provisions avant l'hiver'. You are also expected to understand that in certain contexts, 'provision' in the singular can refer to financial matters, though your focus remains on the plural 'supplies'.
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At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuances between 'provisions', 'vivres', 'denrées', and 'ravitaillement'. 'Provisions' is the most general term for any supplies gathered for future use. You will see it used in historical texts or news reports about logistics. For example, 'La ville assiégée manquait de provisions'. You should also be comfortable with the singular 'provision' in its legal and financial senses, such as 'provision pour risques' (provision for risks) or 'chèque sans provision' (a check with insufficient funds). This level requires you to use the word in more complex sentence structures, perhaps discussing the ethics of 'faire des provisions' during a crisis or the logistics of 'provisions mondiales' (global supplies). You can also use it in idiomatic expressions or more literary descriptions of abundance or scarcity.
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At the C1 level, 'provisions' becomes a tool for precise expression in professional and literary French. You will analyze how the word functions in legal documents (e.g., 'provision ad litem') and how it differs from 'réserves' or 'stocks' in an economic context. In literature, you might explore the symbolic weight of 'provisions' as a sign of security or greed. You should be able to discuss the etymology—from the Latin 'provisio' meaning 'foresight'—and how that foresight is baked into the modern usage. Your vocabulary should include sophisticated collocations like 'provisionner un compte' (to fund an account) or 'une provision de fonds'. You will also encounter the word in philosophical or high-level sociological texts discussing the 'provisioning' of societies. You should be able to use the word with stylistic flair, perhaps in an essay about sustainability and how we manage our planet's 'provisions'.
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At the C2 level, you master the full spectrum of 'provisions', from its most mundane usage to its most archaic or specialized meanings. You can distinguish between 'provisions de bouche' (food supplies) and 'provisions de guerre'. You understand the historical evolution of the word and can identify it in 17th-century classical literature, where it might refer to the granting of an office or a title (the 'provision' of a benefice). You can use the word in high-level debates about supply chains, macroeconomics, and international law with perfect accuracy. You are also sensitive to the rhythmic and tonal qualities of the word in poetry or prose, where 'provisions' might evoke a sense of earthy abundance or, conversely, the anxiety of impending lack. Your mastery includes knowing exactly when to use 'provisions' over 'vivres' or 'fournitures' to achieve a specific rhetorical effect.
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Examples Notes & Tips

provisions in 30 Seconds

  • Provisions refers to a stock of food or supplies gathered for future use, essentially meaning 'groceries' or 'stores'.
  • It is a feminine plural noun in French, almost always used as 'les provisions' or 'des provisions'.
  • The most common phrase is 'faire ses provisions', which means to go grocery shopping or to stock up.
  • It implies foresight and preparation, distinguishing it from the more casual 'faire les courses'.
The French word provisions is a feminine plural noun that primarily refers to the stock of food, supplies, or necessities gathered for a specific purpose or for future use. In everyday French, it is most frequently encountered in the expression faire ses provisions, which translates to doing one's grocery shopping or stocking up on essentials. Unlike the English word 'provision' which can be singular and abstract, the French provisions is almost always plural when referring to physical goods. It evokes a sense of preparation and foresight, suggesting that one is gathering what is needed to sustain themselves over a period. This could range from the weekly trip to the local marché to the more serious accumulation of supplies for a long winter, a hiking trip, or even an emergency situation.
Everyday Context
In a standard household, this word describes the bags of vegetables, bread, and milk brought home to fill the pantry.

Avant de partir en randonnée pour trois jours, nous devons acheter toutes nos provisions.

Historical Context
Historically, it referred to the 'victuals' or food stores kept in a cellar or a granary to survive through the non-growing seasons.
Abstract Usage
Occasionally used to describe a 'reserve' of something non-physical, like a provision of courage or energy, though this is more literary.

Les explorateurs ont vérifié leurs provisions d'eau avant de traverser le désert.

Maman est allée au marché pour faire les provisions de la semaine.

Il est prudent de garder une petite provision de bougies en cas de coupure d'électricité.

Le navire a fait escale pour renouveler ses provisions de charbon.

Using provisions correctly requires an understanding of its plural nature and the verbs it typically pairs with. The most common verb is faire (to do/make). When you say faire ses provisions, you are talking about the act of acquiring necessities. Another common verb is épuiser (to exhaust/run out of), as in nos provisions sont épuisées. You might also use constituer (to build up) when referring to long-term storage.
Grammar Note
Always remember that 'provisions' is feminine. Therefore, any adjectives modifying it must be feminine plural (e.g., des provisions suffisantes).

Nous avons fait des provisions massives de bois pour l'hiver.

Distinction
'Faire les courses' is for your routine supermarket run. 'Faire des provisions' suggests a larger scale or preparing for a specific event like a storm or a camping trip.

La petite souris a amassé des provisions de noisettes sous la racine de l'arbre.

Il est important de vérifier les provisions de sécurité dans chaque voiture.

Les armées médiévales dépendaient de leurs provisions pour tenir un siège.

Est-ce que nous avons assez de provisions pour le voyage en train ?

You will hear provisions in various settings, but mostly when people are planning ahead. In a supermarket, you might hear a grandmother telling her grandson they are making les provisions for the holiday weekend. In news reports about natural disasters or strikes, journalists often speak of citizens rushing to the stores to make des provisions de première nécessité (provisions of basic necessity). In literature, particularly in classic adventure novels like those of Jules Verne, the management of provisions is a recurring theme that creates tension.
In the Kitchen
A chef might check the 'provisions de bouche' (food supplies) in the pantry before starting a large service.

À l'approche de la tempête, les habitants ont dévalisé les rayons pour faire des provisions.

Le refuge de montagne est ravitaillé en provisions par hélicoptère une fois par mois.

N'oubliez pas d'emporter des provisions d'eau si vous allez marcher en plein soleil.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is using the singular provision when they mean groceries. In French, une provision (singular) is rarely used for food; it is instead a technical term in finance (a reserve for a debt) or law (a preliminary court order). Another common mistake is confusing provisions with prévisions. While provisions are things you have gathered, prévisions are forecasts or predictions (like the weather forecast).
False Friend Alert
Don't say 'J'ai une provision de pain.' Say 'J'ai des provisions de pain' or simply 'J'ai du pain en réserve.'

Attention à ne pas confondre les provisions alimentaires et les prévisions météorologiques.

Le comptable parle de la provision bancaire, pas du dîner de ce soir.

Depending on the context, you might want to use synonyms that are more specific or more casual. Les courses is the most common informal alternative for grocery shopping. Les vivres is a more dramatic or military term for food supplies, often used in survival contexts. Le ravitaillement refers to the act of resupplying or the supplies themselves, often used in sports (like cycling) or logistics.
Comparison: Provisions vs. Vivres
'Provisions' can be any supplies (candles, batteries, food), while 'vivres' is strictly about food and drink necessary for life.

Nous avons acheté des provisions pour le camping, y compris des lampes de poche.

Comparison: Provisions vs. Courses
'Courses' is the act of shopping. 'Provisions' is the result of that shopping—the items themselves stored away.

Le ravitaillement est arrivé juste à temps pour les soldats.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Nous devons constituer des provisions suffisantes pour l'expédition."

Neutral

"Je vais au marché faire les provisions."

Informal

"On a plein de provisions dans le coffre."

Child friendly

"Le petit lapin cache ses provisions sous l'herbe."

Slang

"T'as de la provision ? (Do you have any 'stash'?)"

Fun Fact

The word 'provisions' contains the root 'voir' (to see). So, making provisions literally means 'seeing ahead' and preparing for what you saw.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pʁɔ.vi.zjɔ̃/
US /pʁɔ.vi.zjɔ̃/
The stress in French is usually on the final syllable: pro-vi-ZION.
Rhymes With
maison raison saison poison horizon blason claison liaison
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 's' at the end (it is silent).
  • Making the 'on' sound like 'on' in 'on' (English) instead of a nasal vowel.
  • Using an English 'r' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because it looks like the English word.

Writing 3/5

Must remember it is feminine plural and avoid confusing it with 'prévisions'.

Speaking 3/5

The nasal 'on' and silent 's' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Usually clear in context, especially with the verb 'faire'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

nourriture acheter magasin faire manger

Learn Next

approvisionner réserve pénurie stockage denrées

Advanced

provisionnel conjoncture intendance logistique thésaurisation

Grammar to Know

The plural of nouns ending in -ion

Une provision -> Des provisions (just add s).

Feminine plural agreement with adjectives

Des provisions fraîches (add -es to the adjective).

Use of 'de' after expressions of quantity

Beaucoup de provisions (not 'des').

The partitive article vs the plural indefinite article

Il fait DES provisions (plural items) vs Il achète DE LA nourriture (uncountable).

Verbs followed by 'de' before a noun

Il a besoin DE provisions.

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Examples by Level

1

J'achète des provisions au supermarché.

I buy groceries at the supermarket.

'Provisions' is plural and feminine.

2

Elle fait ses provisions le samedi.

She does her grocery shopping on Saturdays.

The verb 'faire' is used with 'provisions'.

3

Nous avons beaucoup de provisions.

We have a lot of supplies.

'Beaucoup de' is followed by the noun without an article.

4

Où sont les provisions ?

Where are the groceries?

'Les' is the definite article for plural nouns.

5

Il faut faire des provisions de pain.

We must stock up on bread.

'Des' is the indefinite plural article.

6

Les provisions sont dans le sac.

The groceries are in the bag.

Subject-verb agreement: 'sont' is plural.

7

Maman fait les provisions pour le dîner.

Mom is getting the supplies for dinner.

'Les' refers to specific supplies for a known event.

8

Regarde mes provisions !

Look at my supplies!

'Mes' is the possessive adjective for plural items.

1

Nous faisons des provisions pour notre pique-nique.

We are getting supplies for our picnic.

Use 'pour' to indicate the purpose of the supplies.

2

Il est important d'avoir des provisions d'eau.

It is important to have water supplies.

'D'eau' uses the elided preposition 'de' before a vowel.

3

Ils ont acheté des provisions pour tout le mois.

They bought supplies for the whole month.

'Tout le mois' indicates a specific duration.

4

Avant la tempête, les gens font des provisions.

Before the storm, people stock up.

'Avant' is a preposition of time.

5

Ma grand-mère fait toujours de grosses provisions.

My grandmother always stocks up heavily.

'Grosses' is the feminine plural adjective.

6

Est-ce que tu as assez de provisions ?

Do you have enough supplies?

'Assez de' expresses sufficiency.

7

Le petit écureuil amasse des provisions.

The little squirrel is gathering supplies.

'Amasse' is the verb for gathering/piling up.

8

On a oublié les provisions de café !

We forgot the coffee supplies!

'Oublié' is the past participle of 'oublier'.

1

Nous devons renouveler nos provisions de bois pour l'hiver.

We need to renew our wood supplies for the winter.

'Renouveler' means to replenish.

2

Malgré la grève, nous avons suffisamment de provisions.

Despite the strike, we have enough supplies.

'Suffisamment de' is more formal than 'assez de'.

3

Le navire a fait escale pour prendre des provisions.

The ship stopped to take on supplies.

'Faire escale' is a nautical term for stopping.

4

Elle a une petite provision de bougies en cas de panne.

She has a small stock of candles in case of a power outage.

Here 'provision' is used in the singular to mean 'a stock'.

5

Les randonneurs ont épuisé leurs provisions après trois jours.

The hikers exhausted their supplies after three days.

'Épuisé' means completely used up.

6

Il faut constituer des provisions de nourriture non périssable.

We must build up supplies of non-perishable food.

'Non périssable' is a compound adjective.

7

Le refuge de montagne reçoit ses provisions par hélicoptère.

The mountain hut receives its supplies by helicopter.

'Reçoit' is the present tense of 'recevoir'.

8

Chaque hiver, ils font une provision de pommes de terre.

Every winter, they stock up on potatoes.

'Une provision de' can be used for a specific item.

1

La banque a exigé une provision plus importante sur son compte.

The bank required a larger reserve on his account.

This is the financial meaning of 'provision' (singular).

2

Le explorateurs ont dû rationner leurs provisions de bouche.

The explorers had to ration their food supplies.

'Provisions de bouche' is a formal term for food.

3

Toute provision contraire dans le contrat sera nulle.

Any contrary provision in the contract shall be void.

This is the legal meaning of 'provision' (singular).

4

Ils ont agi par précaution, faisant des provisions de masques.

They acted out of precaution, stocking up on masks.

'Faisant' is the present participle of 'faire'.

5

Le village a été coupé du monde, sans aucune provision.

The village was cut off from the world, without any supplies.

'Sans aucune' emphasizes the total lack.

6

Il a fait une provision de courage avant d'entrer sur scène.

He gathered his courage before going on stage.

Metaphorical usage of 'provision'.

7

L'entreprise doit mettre de l'argent en provision pour les impôts.

The company must set aside money for taxes.

'Mettre en provision' is a financial term.

8

Les provisions mondiales de blé sont en baisse cette année.

Global wheat supplies are down this year.

Used for large-scale economic supplies.

1

L'ordonnance de référé a accordé une provision à la victime.

The summary order granted an advance payment to the victim.

In law, 'une provision' is an advance on damages.

2

La gestion des provisions est cruciale pour la survie de l'expédition.

Management of supplies is crucial for the survival of the expedition.

'Gestion' refers to management or administration.

3

Il a puisé dans sa provision de souvenirs pour écrire son roman.

He drew from his stock of memories to write his novel.

Highly literary metaphorical usage.

4

Le chèque a été rejeté pour défaut de provision.

The check was bounced due to lack of funds.

'Défaut de provision' is the standard term for insufficient funds.

5

Il convient de constituer une provision pour dépréciation d'actifs.

It is appropriate to set up a provision for asset depreciation.

Technical accounting terminology.

6

La provision de la cure fut accordée par l'évêque.

The appointment to the parish was granted by the bishop.

Archaic usage referring to the granting of a position.

7

Les denrées périssables ne font pas partie de ces provisions.

Perishable commodities are not part of these supplies.

'Denrées' is a more formal synonym for food items.

8

La frugalité permet de faire durer les provisions plus longtemps.

Frugality allows supplies to last longer.

'Faire durer' means to make something last.

1

L'intendance doit veiller à la pérennité des provisions de l'armée.

The logistics branch must ensure the sustainability of the army's supplies.

'Intendance' refers to the supply department of an army.

2

Son œuvre est une inépuisable provision d'idées pour les philosophes.

His work is an inexhaustible supply of ideas for philosophers.

Poetic and abstract usage of 'provision'.

3

Le créancier a sollicité une provision ad litem devant le tribunal.

The creditor requested an advance for legal costs before the court.

'Ad litem' is a Latin legal term used in French.

4

La thésaurisation des provisions peut entraîner une pénurie artificielle.

Hoarding supplies can lead to an artificial shortage.

'Thésaurisation' refers to hoarding or accumulating.

5

Il subsistait grâce à une maigre provision de racines et de baies.

He subsisted on a meager supply of roots and berries.

'Maigre' emphasizes the small/poor quality.

6

La provision d'un office était autrefois une source de revenus.

The granting of an office was formerly a source of income.

Refers to the 'sale' or 'grant' of public offices in the Ancien Régime.

7

Le capitaine inspecta les provisions de soute avant le grand départ.

The captain inspected the hold's supplies before the great departure.

'Soute' refers to the storage area of a ship or plane.

8

L'abondance des provisions contrastait avec la misère du peuple.

The abundance of supplies contrasted with the misery of the people.

Contrast used for social commentary.

Common Collocations

faire ses provisions
provisions de bouche
manquer de provisions
renouveler les provisions
provisions alimentaires
épuiser les provisions
grosses provisions
provision de fonds
chèque sans provision
mettre en provision

Common Phrases

faire le plein de provisions

— To fully restock or fill up on supplies.

On a fait le plein de provisions avant le départ.

avoir de la provision

— To have a good stock of something.

J'ai encore de la provision de café.

par provision

— Provisionally or as an advance (legal).

Le juge a accordé une somme par provision.

provision de route

— Supplies for a journey.

N'oubliez pas vos provisions de route.

sans provision

— Referring to a bank account with no money.

Son compte est sans provision.

une provision d'énergie

— A store of energy.

Il a fait une provision d'énergie avant le match.

provisions de survie

— Survival supplies.

Chaque kit contient des provisions de survie.

faire provision de

— To stock up on something specific.

Il a fait provision de bois.

en provision

— In reserve.

Gardez quelques bouteilles en provision.

provision ad litem

— Advance for legal costs.

Elle a demandé une provision ad litem.

Idioms & Expressions

"faire ses provisions"

— To gather what is needed for the future, usually groceries.

Le samedi, tout le village fait ses provisions.

neutral
"avoir de la provision"

— To be well-stocked or have a reserve.

Ne t'inquiète pas, on a de la provision.

informal
"être court de provisions"

— To be running low on supplies.

Nous sommes courts de provisions, il faut rentrer.

informal
"chèque sans provision"

— A 'rubber' check; a check with no money in the account.

Payer avec un chèque sans provision est illégal.

neutral
"faire provision de quelque chose"

— To accumulate a lot of one specific thing.

Il a fait provision de patience pour cette réunion.

metaphorical
"manger ses provisions"

— To consume one's stores.

L'ours mange ses provisions avant l'hibernation.

literal
"provision de bouche"

— Food supplies, specifically.

La provision de bouche est excellente dans ce fort.

formal
"par provision"

— In a preliminary way (law).

Il a été condamné par provision.

legal
"provision pour risques"

— Money set aside for potential future losses.

L'expert a calculé la provision pour risques.

business
"faire ses provisions de baisers"

— To get a lot of kisses (usually said to children).

Viens faire ta provision de baisers !

child-friendly

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'PRO' who 'VISIONS' (sees) the future and buys snacks. A professional who has a vision for their hunger!

Visual Association

Imagine a large wooden pantry filled with jars of honey, sacks of flour, and strings of garlic. Label the pantry 'MES PROVISIONS'.

Word Web

nourriture stock magasin préparation survie courses placard hiver

Challenge

Try to list five things that are currently in your 'provisions' at home using the phrase 'Dans mes provisions, il y a...'

Word Origin

From the Latin 'provisio', which comes from 'providere' (to see ahead, to provide).

Original meaning: Foresight, preparation, or providing for the future.

Romance (Latin).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that 'faire des provisions' can sometimes imply hoarding in a crisis.

In English, 'provisions' sounds a bit old-fashioned or military. In French, it is perfectly normal for everyday use.

Jules Verne's 'L'Île mystérieuse' focuses heavily on the heroes creating provisions. The fable 'La Cigale et la Fourmi' (The Grasshopper and the Ant) is about making provisions for winter.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Supermarket

  • Où sont les provisions de ménage ?
  • Je fais mes provisions pour la semaine.
  • C'est une grosse provision de riz.
  • Le rayon des provisions est là-bas.

Camping/Hiking

  • Vérifie les provisions avant de partir.
  • On a assez de provisions pour trois jours.
  • Ne gaspillez pas les provisions !
  • Où as-tu mis les provisions de bouche ?

Winter/Storm Preparation

  • Il faut faire des provisions de bois.
  • Nous avons des provisions de bougies.
  • La cave est pleine de provisions.
  • On ne manquera pas de provisions.

Finance/Banking

  • Le chèque est sans provision.
  • Il faut faire la provision du compte.
  • Quelle est la provision pour risques ?
  • Le solde inclut la provision.

Nature/Animals

  • L'écureuil fait ses provisions.
  • Les fourmis amassent des provisions.
  • C'est une provision pour l'hiver.
  • Les abeilles font provision de miel.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu as déjà fait tes provisions pour le grand voyage de demain ?"

"Où préfères-tu faire tes provisions : au marché ou au supermarché ?"

"Si tu étais coincé sur une île déserte, quelles provisions choisirais-tu en premier ?"

"Penses-tu qu'il est nécessaire de faire des provisions en cas d'urgence ?"

"Quelles sont les provisions que tu as toujours dans ton placard ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez votre visite au marché pour faire vos provisions. Qu'avez-vous acheté ?

Imaginez que vous préparez une expédition au Pôle Nord. Listez vos provisions indispensables.

Pourquoi est-il important pour un animal de faire des provisions avant l'hiver ?

Racontez une fois où vous avez manqué de provisions pendant un voyage.

Quel est le rôle de la 'provision' dans un compte bancaire selon vous ?

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