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A2 noun 8 min read

une fraise

Examples une fraise in 30 Seconds
Explanation une fraise in your Level:
At the A1 level, the word 'une fraise' is introduced as basic vocabulary for food and fruits. Students learn that it is a feminine noun. The focus is on simple sentences like 'J'aime la fraise' (I like the strawberry) or 'C'est une fraise' (It is a strawberry). Learners are taught to identify the fruit in a list of other common fruits like 'la pomme' (apple) or 'la banane' (banana). The plural form 'des fraises' is also introduced early on to practice the use of indefinite articles. At this stage, the word is strictly literal, referring only to the red fruit. Teachers often use images of strawberries to help students associate the sound with the object. The goal is for the student to be able to use the word in a grocery store context or when describing their favorite food. The pronunciation is relatively straightforward for English speakers, though the 'r' sound in French requires practice. There is no mention of idioms or technical meanings at this level, as the focus is on foundational communication.
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At the A2 level, students expand their use of 'une fraise' into more complex sentence structures. They learn to use partitive articles, such as 'Je mange des fraises' (I am eating some strawberries). This is also where learners begin to use adjectives to describe the fruit, such as 'une fraise rouge' (a red strawberry) or 'une fraise sucrée' (a sweet strawberry). The concept of 'la tarte aux fraises' is introduced, helping students understand how to use 'aux' with plural nouns in recipes. Students might also learn the difference between 'une fraise' and 'une framboise' (a raspberry) to avoid common confusion. At A2, the student should be able to describe a simple recipe or talk about a trip to a French market using the word. They might also encounter the word 'fraisier' in the context of a bakery. The focus remains largely on the culinary and botanical use of the word, but the sentences become more descriptive and integrated into daily life scenarios, such as breakfast or dessert preferences.
At the B1 level, the learner begins to encounter 'une fraise' in more idiomatic and cultural contexts. This is the stage where the idiom 'ramener sa fraise' (to butt in) might be introduced, as students start to learn more informal, colloquial French. They also learn about the different varieties of strawberries found in France, such as the 'Gariguette', and why they are culturally significant. The word might appear in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'Si j'avais des fraises, je ferais un gâteau' (If I had strawberries, I would make a cake). Learners also begin to understand the technical use of the word in dentistry or mechanics, although this is secondary to the culinary meaning. At B1, the student is expected to be able to discuss the seasonality of fruits and the importance of buying local produce in France, using 'une fraise' as a prime example of a seasonal product. They also learn to distinguish between 'fraise' and 'frais' (fresh) more clearly in both listening and speaking.
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At the B2 level, the student explores the word 'une fraise' through a more nuanced lens, including its historical and literary significance. They might read texts that mention the 'fraise' as a Renaissance collar, requiring an understanding of historical context. In terms of language production, the student can use the word in sophisticated arguments about agriculture, GMOs, or organic farming in France. For example, they might discuss 'la culture des fraises sous serre' (greenhouse strawberry cultivation) versus traditional methods. The idiom 'sucrer les fraises' (to have the shakes/be senile) might be introduced as part of a discussion on aging or health. At this level, the student's vocabulary is rich enough to use 'fraise' in metaphors or as a color descriptor ('un rose fraise'). They are also expected to handle complex phonetics, ensuring they don't confuse 'fraise' with 'fraiseuse' (milling machine) unless intended. The cultural connection to specific regions like Plougastel is understood as part of a broader knowledge of French geography and gastronomy.
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At the C1 level, 'une fraise' is used with full native-like fluency, including all its technical, historical, and idiomatic connotations. The student can analyze the etymology of the word, tracing it back to the Latin 'fragum', and discuss how the name 'Frézier' influenced the fruit's history in Europe. They can use the word in academic or professional discussions about botany, food science, or historical fashion without hesitation. The student is also sensitive to the register of the word; they know that 'ramener sa fraise' is too informal for a business presentation but perfect for a movie review or a casual conversation. They can appreciate wordplay involving 'fraise' in French literature or advertising. At this level, the learner can also discuss the 'fraise' in the context of mechanical engineering or surgery (where specialized 'fraises' are used), showing a deep and broad understanding of the word's application across multiple specialized fields. Their pronunciation is impeccable, including the subtle differences in vowel length and the uvular 'r'.
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At the C2 level, the word 'une fraise' is a tool for creative and highly specialized expression. The user can employ the word in poetic contexts, perhaps using the 'fraise des bois' as a metaphor for hidden beauty or fleeting youth, a common trope in French poetry. They have a complete grasp of the word's evolution and its place in the French lexicon, including archaic uses. They can engage in high-level debates about the impact of the 'Label Rouge' on the strawberry industry or the linguistics of fruit names in different Francophone regions (e.g., Quebec vs. France). The C2 user is also capable of using the most obscure idioms and technical terms related to 'fraise', such as specific types of milling cutters in industrial manufacturing or the intricate details of a 'fraise' collar in a costume design thesis. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a part of a vast web of cultural, historical, and technical knowledge that the speaker can navigate with ease and precision, often using it to add color or specific detail to their speech and writing.
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Examples

une fraise in 30 Seconds

  • A feminine noun meaning 'strawberry' in French.
  • Commonly used in cooking, especially for desserts like 'fraisier'.
  • Has idiomatic meanings like 'ramener sa fraise' (to butt in).
  • Refers to a historical collar (ruff) and industrial tools (drills).
The French word une fraise is a feminine noun that translates directly to "a strawberry" in English. Botanically, it refers to the aggregate accessory fruit of the genus Fragaria. In the context of French culture and daily life, the strawberry is far more than just a simple snack; it is a herald of spring and a symbol of culinary refinement. When you walk through a French marché en plein air (open-air market) in late April or May, the scent of fresh strawberries often dominates the air, signaling the end of the long winter months. The term is used universally across the French-speaking world, though the specific varieties found in France, such as the elongated Gariguette or the heart-shaped Ciflorette, are often highlighted by name because of their superior flavor profiles compared to standard commercial varieties.
Botanical Category
Fruit rouge (Red fruit) / Rosaceae family.
Common Varieties
Gariguette, Mara des Bois, Charlotte, Ciflorette.
Culinary Role
Used in pâtisseries, jams (confitures), and served fresh with cream (crème chantilly).
Beyond the fruit itself, une fraise has a secondary, more historical meaning: it refers to a "ruff" or "rulle," the large, pleated collar worn by aristocrats in the 16th and 17th centuries. While you won't hear this in a grocery store, you might encounter it in a history museum or a discussion about Renaissance fashion. This dual meaning exists because the pleated fabric of the collar resembled the texture or shape of certain strawberry varieties.

Cette une fraise est incroyablement sucrée et juteuse.

In modern slang, specifically in the idiom ramener sa fraise, the word takes on a figurative meaning for one's face or head, usually used when someone intervenes in a conversation where they weren't invited. This shows the word's versatility across formal, botanical, and colloquial registers. Culturally, the strawberry is deeply linked to the town of Plougastel in Brittany, which is famous for its strawberry production. The history of the modern garden strawberry actually has a French connection; it was a French spy and engineer named Amédée-François Frézier (ironically named) who brought back the large-fruited Chilean strawberry to Europe in the 1700s, which was later crossed with North American species to create the strawberry we know today.

Voulez-vous une fraise avec votre dessert ?

Seasonality
Primarily available from April to June, though some varieties last until October.
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Using une fraise correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of French articles and partitives. Because it is a countable noun, you use une for one, des for several, and la for the general concept or a specific fruit. If you are talking about strawberry flavor (like in ice cream or yogurt), you use the preposition à la (e.g., une glace à la fraise).
Singular vs. Plural
Une fraise (one strawberry) vs. Des fraises (some strawberries).
Quantity
Beaucoup de fraises (many strawberries) - note that 'de' remains singular after 'beaucoup'.
When expressing likes or dislikes, use the definite article: J'adore les fraises (I love strawberries). If you are eating an unspecified amount, use the partitive: Je mange des fraises (I am eating [some] strawberries).

Ma fille a cueilli une fraise sauvage dans le jardin.

In technical or culinary contexts, you might see fraise used as an adjective for color, though it is usually invariable (meaning it doesn't change for gender or number), such as des rubans fraise (strawberry-colored ribbons). However, this is less common than using the noun.

Le chef décore le gâteau avec une fraise coupée en deux.

Common Verbs
Laver (to wash), équeuter (to hull/remove the green stem), sucrer (to sugar), déguster (to taste/enjoy).

Il ne reste plus qu'une fraise dans le bol.

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You will hear une fraise in a variety of everyday French settings. The most common is at the marché (market). Vendors will shout about their fraises de pays (locally grown strawberries). You'll hear customers asking, "Est-ce que je peux goûter une fraise ?" (Can I taste a strawberry?). In a boulangerie-pâtisserie, the word is ubiquitous during the spring. You’ll hear people ordering une tartelette à la fraise or asking if the fraisier (strawberry cake) is available in a size for six people.
At the Market
'Une barquette de fraises, s'il vous plaît.' (A punnet of strawberries, please.)
In the Kitchen
'Il faut équeuter les fraises avant de les mixer.' (The strawberries must be hulled before blending.)
In family settings, especially during Sunday lunch, a common dessert is fraises au sucre or fraises à la crème. You might hear a parent telling a child, "Ne mange pas toutes les fraises !" (Don't eat all the strawberries!).

Le marchand m'a donné une fraise pour que je puisse la goûter.

In a professional medical or dental context, you might hear la fraise referring to a dentist's drill. This is a very common use that often surprises learners. A patient might say, "J'ai horreur du bruit de la fraise" (I hate the sound of the drill).

On a trouvé une fraise énorme dans le panier.

In Literature
Often used to evoke sensory nostalgia or the sweetness of childhood summers.

Elle porte un parfum qui sent une fraise des bois.

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One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with une fraise is gender confusion. Because 'strawberry' doesn't have a gender in English, learners often forget that it is feminine. Using un fraise is a common error that sounds jarring to native speakers. Always pair it with une or la. Another common mistake involves the plural pronunciation. While the 's' is written in des fraises, it is silent. Learners often try to pronounce the 's' as in the English word 'strawberries', but in French, the distinction is made through the article (une vs day).
Gender Error
Saying 'le fraise' instead of 'la fraise'.
Confusion with Raspberry
Confusing 'fraise' with 'framboise'. They both start with 'fra' and are red fruits, but they are distinct.

Ce n'est pas une fraise, c'est une framboise !

A more subtle mistake is using the wrong preposition when describing flavor. In English, we say 'strawberry cake', but in French, it is un gâteau aux fraises (a cake with/made of strawberries) or un gâteau à la fraise (strawberry-flavored cake). Using de la fraise in this context is often incorrect.

J'ai acheté une fraise en plastique pour mon fils.

Idiomatic Misuse
Using 'ramener sa fraise' in a formal business meeting. It is quite informal and could be seen as rude.

Il a mis une fraise sur chaque part de tarte.

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If you want to expand your vocabulary beyond une fraise, you should learn the names of other fruits rouges (red fruits/berries). The most common alternative or companion to the strawberry is la framboise (raspberry). While the strawberry is sweet and dense, the raspberry is tart and hollow. Another similar fruit is la cerise (cherry), which also appears in late spring.
La Framboise
Raspberry. Often used in the same desserts as strawberries.
La Fraise des bois
Wild strawberry. Smaller, much more fragrant, and highly prized in French gastronomy.
Le Fraisier
The strawberry plant, or a specific type of strawberry cake with cream and marzipan.
In technical terms, if you are looking for a milling tool, the word remains une fraise, but the context changes entirely. In a workshop, you might use une fraise à carotter (core drill) or une fraiseuse (milling machine).

Je préfère une fraise des bois à une fraise de supermarché.

For colors, instead of just saying 'rouge', you can use fraise écrasée (crushed strawberry) to describe a specific dusty pinkish-red hue. This is very common in fashion and interior design.

Cette confiture contient une fraise entière dans chaque pot.

L'Arbouse
The strawberry tree fruit. It looks like a strawberry but has a very different texture and taste.

Il a cueilli une fraise pour la donner à son petit frère.

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Pronunciation Guide

UK /fʁɛz/
US /fɹɛz/
The stress is on the single syllable 'fraise'.
Rhymes With
falaise balaise punaise fournaise braise aise malaise chaise
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the final 'e' (it's silent).
  • Pronouncing the 's' in the plural 'fraises' (it's silent).
  • Confusing the 'ai' sound with 'é' (it should be more open).
  • Using an English 'r' instead of a French uvular 'r'.
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Examples by Level

1

C'est une fraise rouge.

It is a red strawberry.

'Une' is the feminine indefinite article.

2

J'aime la fraise.

I like the strawberry.

'La' is the definite article used for general likes.

3

Voici une fraise.

Here is a strawberry.

'Voici' is used to present something.

4

Tu veux une fraise ?

Do you want a strawberry?

Question formed by rising intonation.

5

La fraise est sucrée.

The strawberry is sweet.

'Sucrée' agrees with the feminine noun 'fraise'.

6

Une fraise et une pomme.

A strawberry and an apple.

Both nouns are feminine.

7

Je mange une fraise.

I am eating a strawberry.

Present tense of the verb 'manger'.

8

Où est la fraise ?

Where is the strawberry?

'Où' means where.

1

Je voudrais une tarte à la fraise.

I would like a strawberry tart.

'À la' indicates the flavor or main ingredient.

2

Il y a des fraises dans le panier.

There are strawberries in the basket.

'Des' is the plural indefinite article.

3

Cette fraise est très petite.

This strawberry is very small.

'Cette' is the feminine demonstrative adjective.

4

Nous cueillons une fraise dans le jardin.

We are picking a strawberry in the garden.

'Cueillons' is the 'nous' form of 'cueillir'.

5

Elle préfère la glace à la fraise.

She prefers strawberry ice cream.

'À la fraise' acts as an adjectival phrase.

6

Il ne faut pas laver une fraise trop tôt.

One must not wash a strawberry too early.

'Il ne faut pas' means 'one must not'.

7

Ma mère fait une confiture de fraise.

My mother is making strawberry jam.

'De fraise' indicates the substance.

8

J'ai acheté une barquette de fraises.

I bought a punnet of strawberries.

'Barquette' is a common unit for strawberries.

1

Si tu trouves une fraise des bois, goûte-la.

If you find a wild strawberry, taste it.

'Fraise des bois' is the term for wild strawberry.

2

Il ramène toujours sa fraise sans qu'on lui demande.

He always butts in without being asked.

Idiomatic use of 'ramener sa fraise'.

3

Le pâtissier prépare un fraisier magnifique.

The pastry chef is preparing a magnificent strawberry cake.

'Fraisier' refers to the specific cake.

4

J'adore l'odeur d'une fraise bien mûre.

I love the smell of a very ripe strawberry.

'Mûre' means ripe.

5

Il a décoré le plat avec une seule fraise.

He decorated the dish with a single strawberry.

'Seule' emphasizes the singularity.

6

Peux-tu m'aider à équeuter une fraise ?

Can you help me hull a strawberry?

'Équeuter' is the specific verb for removing the stem.

7

La fraise de Plougastel est très célèbre en France.

The Plougastel strawberry is very famous in France.

Proper noun usage for regional varieties.

8

Elle a acheté un rouge à lèvres couleur fraise.

She bought a strawberry-colored lipstick.

'Fraise' used as a color descriptor.

1

Le dentiste utilise une fraise pour soigner la carie.

The dentist uses a drill to treat the cavity.

'Fraise' here means a dental drill.

2

Le vieil homme commençait à sucrer les fraises.

The old man was starting to get the shakes.

'Sucrer les fraises' is an idiom for trembling or senility.

3

Le portrait montre un noble portant une fraise imposante.

The portrait shows a nobleman wearing an imposing ruff.

Historical meaning of 'fraise' as a collar.

4

La production d'une fraise hors saison nécessite beaucoup d'énergie.

Producing an out-of-season strawberry requires a lot of energy.

'Hors saison' means out of season.

5

L'usinage nécessite une fraise en carbure de tungstène.

Machining requires a tungsten carbide milling cutter.

Technical/Industrial meaning of 'fraise'.

6

On reconnaît une fraise de qualité à sa brillance et son pédoncule vert.

One recognizes a quality strawberry by its shine and its green stem.

'Pédoncule' is the botanical term for the stem.

7

Le chef a réalisé un coulis avec une fraise mara des bois.

The chef made a coulis with a Mara des Bois strawberry.

Specific variety name used as an appositive.

8

Il est rare de trouver une fraise sauvage aussi parfumée.

It is rare to find such a fragrant wild strawberry.

'Parfumée' refers to the intense scent.

1

L'étymologie du mot fraise remonte au latin 'fragum'.

The etymology of the word strawberry dates back to the Latin 'fragum'.

Linguistic discussion of the word's origin.

2

L'ingénieur règle la fraiseuse pour une coupe de précision.

The engineer adjusts the milling machine for a precision cut.

Derivative word 'fraiseuse' related to the tool 'fraise'.

3

Le roman évoque la saveur d'une fraise comme une madeleine de Proust.

The novel evokes the flavor of a strawberry like a Proustian madeleine.

Literary reference to sensory memory.

4

La fraise de veau est un abat très apprécié des connaisseurs.

Veal ruffle (mesentery) is an offal highly appreciated by connoisseurs.

Anatomical/Culinary term for veal mesentery.

5

Il ne faut pas ramener sa fraise dans un débat aussi complexe.

One should not butt in during such a complex debate.

Colloquial idiom used in a sophisticated context.

6

L'hybridation a permis d'obtenir une fraise plus résistante au transport.

Hybridization has allowed for a strawberry more resistant to transport.

Scientific/Agricultural context.

7

Le drapé de la robe rappelait les plis d'une fraise médicéenne.

The draping of the dress recalled the folds of a Medici ruff.

Historical fashion reference.

8

On a décelé des traces de pesticides sur une fraise non biologique.

Traces of pesticides were detected on a non-organic strawberry.

Environmental/Health context.

1

L'ontologie de la fraise dans la nature morte hollandaise est fascinante.

The ontology of the strawberry in Dutch still life is fascinating.

Philosophical/Art historical context.

2

La subtilité d'une fraise des bois transcende les saveurs industrielles.

The subtlety of a wild strawberry transcends industrial flavors.

High-level comparative analysis.

3

Le chirurgien manipule la fraise avec une dextérité millimétrée.

The surgeon manipulates the drill with millimeter precision.

Specific medical/surgical usage.

4

L'évolution morphologique de la fraise témoigne des siècles de sélection.

The morphological evolution of the strawberry bears witness to centuries of selection.

Academic scientific register.

5

L'auteur use de la métaphore de la fraise pour décrire l'éphémère.

The author uses the metaphor of the strawberry to describe the ephemeral.

Advanced literary analysis.

6

La fraise, en tant que collerette, symbolisait le rang social au XVIe siècle.

The ruff, as a collar, symbolized social rank in the 16th century.

Sociological/Historical register.

7

L'arôme complexe d'une fraise mûre à point défie toute synthèse chimique.

The complex aroma of a perfectly ripe strawberry defies any chemical synthesis.

Scientific/Philosophical register.

8

Sa propension à ramener sa fraise confine à l'impertinence pure.

His propensity to butt in borders on pure impertinence.

Highly formal description of informal behavior.

Common Collocations

une fraise bien mûre
une tarte aux fraises
une barquette de fraises
cueillir une fraise
équeuter les fraises
fraise des bois
confiture de fraises
glace à la fraise
ramener sa fraise
sucrer les fraises

Common Phrases

Une fraise Tagada

— A very famous French strawberry-shaped marshmallow candy.

Les enfants adorent les fraises Tagada.

Un coulis de fraise

— A smooth strawberry sauce used for desserts.

Versez le coulis de fraise sur le gâteau.

Des fraises au sucre

— Strawberries served simply with sugar.

Nous mangeons des fraises au sucre en dessert.

Un sirop de fraise

— Strawberry syrup, often mixed with water for kids.

Tu veux un verre de sirop de fraise ?

Une fraise dentaire

— A dentist's drill bit.

La fraise dentaire fait un bruit aigu.

La saison des fraises

— Strawberry season (usually spring).

C'est enfin la saison des fraises !

Une fraise de veau

— A specific type of veal offal.

La fraise de veau est une spécialité lyonnaise.

Une fraise de charrue

— A part of a plow (agricultural tool).

Il doit remplacer la fraise de sa charrue.

Peau de fraise

— A skin texture resembling a strawberry (often medical).

Il a une peau de fraise sur le nez.

Rouge fraise

— A specific shade of red.

Elle a peint ses ongles en rouge fraise.

Idioms & Expressions

"Ramener sa fraise"

— To intervene or give an opinion without being invited.

Il ramène toujours sa fraise dans nos discussions.

informal
"Sucrer les fraises"

— To tremble or shake, often due to old age or Parkinson's.

Mon grand-père commence à sucrer les fraises.

informal/dated
"Aller aux fraises"

— To go looking for something in an impractical place, or to wander off.

Il est encore allé aux fraises avec ses explications.

informal
"Être aux fraises"

— To be completely lost or out of touch with reality.

Le politicien était totalement aux fraises pendant le débat.

informal
"Ramène pas ta fraise !"

— Don't butt in! / Shut up!

Ramène pas ta fraise, ça ne te regarde pas !

slang
"Une fraise de veau"

— Literally 'veal strawberry', but it refers to the mesentery (offal).

Il a commandé une fraise de veau au restaurant.

culinary
"S'en aller aux fraises"

— To go off into the wild or to disappear.

Il s'en est allé aux fraises sans rien dire.

informal
"Avoir une fraise"

— Sometimes used to mean having a big nose (resembling the fruit).

Regarde la fraise qu'il a !

slang/rude
"Pédaler dans les fraises"

— To struggle or make no progress (Quebec French).

Je pédale dans les fraises avec ce projet.

informal (Quebec)
"Être dans les fraises"

— To be mistaken or confused (Quebec French).

Tu es complètement dans les fraises !

informal (Quebec)

Word Family

Nouns

fraisier (plant/cake)
fraiseuse (milling machine)
fraisage (milling proces
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