At the A1 level, the word 'squelette' is introduced as a basic vocabulary word related to the human body and Halloween. Students learn that it is a masculine noun ('le squelette'). You will mostly use it in simple sentences to describe what you see in a museum or a classroom. For example, 'Le squelette est blanc' (The skeleton is white) or 'J'ai un squelette dans ma classe' (I have a skeleton in my class). The focus is on recognizing the word and its basic physical meaning. You don't need to worry about figurative uses yet. Just remember the pronunciation: the 'u' is silent, so it sounds like 'skel-ette'. This word is fun to learn because it is very similar to the English word 'skeleton', making it easy to remember. You might also see it in picture books about the body where it points to the bones. It is a fundamental part of learning 'les parties du corps' (the parts of the body).
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'squelette' in slightly more complex contexts. You might describe the function of the skeleton in a simple way, such as 'Le squelette nous aide à rester debout' (The skeleton helps us stand up). You will also encounter it in the context of animals, such as 'Le squelette d'un chat est différent de celui d'un oiseau' (A cat's skeleton is different from a bird's). At this level, you should be comfortable using the word with common adjectives like 'humain', 'animal', or 'petit'. You might also use it in the context of a story, perhaps describing a spooky house during Halloween. The grammar remains straightforward, but you should start paying attention to the plural form 'les squelettes' and ensuring your articles match. You might also learn that insects have an 'exosquelette' (exoskeleton), which is a great way to expand your vocabulary through prefixes.
By B1, you can start using 'squelette' in figurative ways. For example, you might talk about the 'squelette d'un projet' (the skeleton of a project) or the 'squelette d'un texte' (the outline of a text). This shows that you understand the word as a metaphor for 'structure' or 'essential framework'. You will also encounter more specific medical or biological terms related to it, such as 'les os du squelette' (the bones of the skeleton). In conversation, you might use it to describe someone who is very thin: 'Il est devenu un vrai squelette' (He has become a real skeleton). You should be able to follow a basic documentary or article about archaeology or biology where the word is used frequently. Your understanding of the word should now bridge the gap between a simple object and a structural concept. You are also expected to use it correctly in various tenses, such as 'L'archéologue a trouvé un squelette' (The archaeologist found a skeleton).
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'squelette' in technical and professional discussions. For instance, in architecture, you might discuss the 'squelette métallique' of a modern building. In literature, you might analyze the 'squelette narratif' (narrative structure) of a novel. Your vocabulary should include synonyms like 'ossature' or 'charpente', and you should know when to use each. You will also encounter the idiom 'un squelette dans le placard' (a skeleton in the closet) and understand its social and psychological implications. At this level, you should be able to read complex scientific texts where the skeleton's role in the body is described in detail, including its interaction with muscles and organs. You can also use the word in more abstract debates, such as discussing the 'squelette d'une idée' during a brainstorm. Your use of the word reflects a high degree of nuance and an ability to adapt to different subject matters.
At the C1 level, your use of 'squelette' is sophisticated and precise. You can use it in academic writing to describe the 'squelette institutionnel' (institutional framework) of a country or the 'squelette théorique' (theoretical framework) of a research paper. You understand the subtle differences between 'squelette', 'ossature', and 'armature' in technical contexts. You can appreciate and use the word in high-level literature, where it might be used as a motif for mortality, time, or the stripping away of superficiality. You are comfortable with the word in all registers, from medical jargon to poetic expression. You can also discuss the etymology of the word and how its meaning has evolved over time. In a professional setting, you might lead a discussion on the 'squelette d'une stratégie d'entreprise', focusing on the core elements that will support future growth. Your mastery of the word allows you to use it as a powerful tool for clarity and structural analysis.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'squelette' and its place in the French language. You can use it with effortless precision in any context, including highly specialized fields like paleontology, structural engineering, or philosophy. You might explore the 'squelette' as a philosophical concept—the irreducible core of existence. You are familiar with rare or archaic uses of the word and can identify it in classical French literature. You can use it in complex puns or wordplay. Your understanding of the word is deeply integrated with French culture, from the history of the Paris Catacombs to the specific way 'squelette' is used in French legal or political frameworks to describe the 'skeleton' of a treaty or constitution. You can articulate the difference between the 'squelette' and the 'chair' (flesh) in a metaphorical sense to discuss the dual nature of various phenomena. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a versatile conceptual instrument in your linguistic toolkit.

squelette em 30 segundos

  • Squelette is a masculine noun meaning skeleton or framework.
  • It refers to biological bones but also architectural and figurative structures.
  • Pronunciation: the 'u' is silent (skel-ette).
  • Commonly used in science, construction, and storytelling contexts.

The French word squelette is a masculine noun that primarily refers to the internal framework of bone or cartilage that supports the body of an animal or human. While its most immediate association is with biology and anatomy, the word carries a significant weight in metaphorical contexts, architectural descriptions, and even technological frameworks. In French, just as in English, a skeleton is what remains when the 'flesh' or 'details' are removed, leaving only the essential structure that provides strength and shape.

Biological Context
In a scientific or medical setting, le squelette humain consists of 206 bones. Doctors and biologists use this term to discuss health, growth, and forensic science.
Architectural Context
When a building is under construction, the steel or wooden beams that define its shape before the walls are added are referred to as the squelette du bâtiment or ossature.
Figurative Context
In writing or project management, the squelette of a story or a plan is its outline—the core points that hold the narrative or strategy together.

L'archéologue a découvert un squelette de dinosaure presque complet dans le désert.

Beyond the physical, squelette is often used in the context of Halloween or horror to describe a spooky figure. Children learn this word early because it is a staple of festive decorations and stories about ghosts and monsters. In a more somber tone, it can describe someone who is extremely thin, often used with the preposition 'un' to say il n'est plus qu'un squelette (he is nothing but a skeleton). This versatility makes it a crucial word for learners to master across various registers of speech.

Le squelette externe des insectes s'appelle une carapace ou un exosquelette.

Historically, the word entered the French language via the Latin sceleton, which itself was derived from the Greek skeletos, meaning 'dried up.' This etymological root reflects the ancient observation that bones are the dry remains of a body once the moisture and soft tissues have vanished. Today, the word is indispensable in fields ranging from paleontology to software engineering (where 'skeleton code' provides a basic structure for developers). Whether you are discussing the structural integrity of a skyscraper or the plot of a novel, squelette serves as the conceptual anchor for any internal support system.

Using the word squelette correctly requires an understanding of its gender and common grammatical pairings. As a masculine noun, it is always preceded by le, un, or ce. When pluralizing, it follows the standard rule of adding an 's': les squelettes. Because it is a concrete noun, it often appears with verbs of state or action such as étudier (to study), découvrir (to discover), or constituer (to constitute).

With Adjectives
Common adjectives include humain (human), animal (animal), complet (complete), or articulé (articulated/jointed).
As a Subject
When the skeleton is the subject, it often performs functions like soutenir (to support) or protéger (to protect).

Le squelette protège les organes vitaux comme le cœur et les poumons.

In metaphorical usage, squelette often appears in the prepositional phrase le squelette de. For instance, in a business context, you might say le squelette d'un accord (the framework of an agreement). Here, it implies that the core terms are set, but the specific details (the 'flesh') have yet to be negotiated. This usage is common in formal writing and news reporting to describe preliminary versions of complex documents or plans.

Nous avons déjà le squelette du projet, il ne reste plus qu'à ajouter les détails techniques.

In creative writing, squelette can be used to evoke imagery of death or the passage of time. A 'squelette de ville' (skeleton of a city) might describe a place ruined by war or abandonment, where only the frames of buildings remain. This evocative power makes it a favorite among poets and novelists. When using it, remember that it is a versatile tool that bridges the gap between the purely physical and the abstractly structural, allowing for a wide range of expressive possibilities in both spoken and written French.

The word squelette is ubiquitous in French life, appearing in educational, professional, and cultural settings. If you walk into any French middle school (collège), you are likely to see a plastic squelette in the life sciences classroom (SVT - Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre). Students learn to identify bones like the fémur or the crâne using this model. Consequently, for many native speakers, the word evokes memories of early science education.

At the Museum
In places like the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris, you will hear guides talking about les squelettes de baleines (whale skeletons) or prehistoric fossils.
In the News
Journalists often use the term figuratively when discussing the "skeleton" of a new law or a political reform that is still in its early stages.

Les enfants étaient fascinés par le squelette géant exposé au milieu de la galerie.

In pop culture, specifically around October, le squelette becomes a central figure of Halloween festivities. You'll see costumes, window stickers, and animated characters centered around this motif. In French cinema and literature, the 'skeleton in the closet' trope exists as un squelette dans le placard, referring to a hidden, shameful secret. You might hear this in a dramatic television series or read it in a mystery novel when a character's past is finally revealed.

Chaque famille a un squelette dans le placard, une vérité que l'on préfère oublier.

In technical fields like web development or graphic design, French professionals often use the English loanword 'wireframe' or 'mockup,' but squelette is frequently used to describe the underlying HTML structure or the logic of a program. If you are working in a French office, your boss might ask for the squelette de la présentation (the outline of the presentation) before you start adding images and text. This wide range of applications ensures that once you learn squelette, you will encounter it in almost every facet of French life, from the classroom to the boardroom.

Learning the word squelette involves navigating a few common pitfalls that can trip up English speakers. The most frequent error is related to spelling. Many learners are tempted to write it as 'squelet' or 'skelette' because of the English influence. Remember that in French, it ends with -ette, similar to words like bicyclette or omelette, but it remains masculine despite the typically feminine ending.

Gender Confusion
The '-ette' ending often indicates a feminine noun in French. However, squelette is a notable exception. Always use le squelette, never la squelette.
Pronunciation Error
Avoid pronouncing the 'u'. It is not 'skwel-ette'. The 'qu' makes a hard 'k' sound: 'skel-ette'.

Faux: La squelette est blanc. Vrai: Le squelette est blanc.

Another common mistake is confusing squelette with ossature. While they are synonyms, ossature is more frequently used for the framework of a building or a person's build (frame size), whereas squelette is the standard term for the biological set of bones. Using squelette to describe a person's physical build can sound overly clinical or even morbid unless you are specifically referring to their thinness.

Attention: Ne confondez pas squelette (les os) avec carcasse (souvent utilisé pour les animaux morts ou les voitures).

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the plural form in speech. Since the 's' in les squelettes is silent, the only way to distinguish singular from plural is through the article (le vs les). Practice making a clear distinction between these articles to ensure your listener understands if you are talking about one skeleton or many. By being mindful of these nuances, you will sound much more natural and precise in your French communication.

While squelette is the most general term for a framework of bones, French offers several alternatives depending on the context. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the most appropriate word for your situation, whether you are in a lab, at a construction site, or writing a poem.

Ossature
This term is often used for the structural framework of a building or a person's physical frame. It feels more technical and less 'bony' than squelette.
Carcasse
Usually refers to the remains of a dead animal or the rusted frame of a vehicle. It carries a more visceral, sometimes negative connotation.
Charpente
Specifically used for the wooden or metal framework of a roof or a large ship. It implies a craft-based construction.

L'architecte a vérifié l'ossature métallique avant de poser les vitres, mais il a appelé le squelette du bâtiment la base de tout.

In a more abstract sense, you might use armature or cadre. Armature refers to the internal reinforcement (like rebar in concrete), while cadre refers to a frame or a setting. If you are discussing the core of an argument, le fondement (the foundation) or la structure might be more appropriate than squelette, which remains quite literal in French.

La carcasse de la voiture rouillait dans le champ depuis des années.

Finally, for medical students or professionals, the term système osseux (skeletal system) is used to describe the entire biological system including ligaments and cartilage. While squelette is perfectly correct, système osseux sounds more academic. By mastering these synonyms, you can tailor your language to fit the specific domain you are discussing, showing a deeper grasp of the French language's richness and precision.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word originally referred to the entire dried body, not just the bones. The modern anatomical sense developed later.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /skə.lɛt/
US /skə.lɛt/
The stress is equal on both syllables, though naturally slightly more on the second.
Rima com
bicyclette omelette lunette trompette recette casquette miette assiette
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing the 'u' like 'skw-elette'.
  • Making the 't' sound too soft.
  • Thinking it's feminine because of the '-ette' ending.
  • Pronouncing the 's' at the end of the plural 'squelettes'.
  • Confusing it with the English spelling 'skeleton'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

Very easy due to similarity with English.

Escrita 2/5

Easy, but remember the double 't' and 'qu'.

Expressão oral 2/5

The 'u' is silent, which needs practice.

Audição 1/5

Distinctive sound, easy to pick out.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

os corps blanc le un

Aprenda a seguir

ossature muscle organe crâne colonne

Avançado

ostéoporose articulation ligament cartilage moelle

Gramática essencial

Masculine nouns ending in -ette

Le squelette, le squelette-outil.

Silent 'u' after 'q'

Squelette, question, qualité.

Adjective agreement with masculine nouns

Le squelette blanc (not blanche).

Plural formation with -s

Les squelettes.

Prepositional phrases with 'de'

Le squelette de la maison.

Exemplos por nível

1

Le squelette est dans le musée.

The skeleton is in the museum.

Le is the masculine singular article.

2

Un squelette a beaucoup d'os.

A skeleton has many bones.

Un is the masculine indefinite article.

3

Le squelette est blanc.

The skeleton is white.

Adjectives like 'blanc' follow the noun.

4

Voici le squelette de ma classe.

Here is the skeleton of my class.

Voici is used to point something out.

5

J'aime le squelette pour Halloween.

I like the skeleton for Halloween.

Halloween is a common context for this word.

6

Le chien regarde le squelette.

The dog looks at the skeleton.

Regarder is a regular -er verb.

7

C'est un petit squelette.

It is a small skeleton.

Petit comes before the noun.

8

Le squelette ne parle pas.

The skeleton does not speak.

Ne...pas is the standard negation.

1

Le squelette humain protège nos organes.

The human skeleton protects our organs.

Protège is from the verb protéger.

2

Nous étudions le squelette en sciences.

We study the skeleton in science class.

Étudions is the 'nous' form of étudier.

3

Le squelette d'un oiseau est très léger.

The skeleton of a bird is very light.

Léger means light in weight.

4

Il y a un squelette dans le placard.

There is a skeleton in the closet.

Il y a means 'there is'.

5

Le squelette est composé de 206 os.

The skeleton is composed of 206 bones.

Composé de means 'composed of'.

6

Le médecin regarde le squelette sur la radio.

The doctor looks at the skeleton on the X-ray.

Radio here refers to an X-ray.

7

Le squelette de ce poisson est complexe.

The skeleton of this fish is complex.

Ce is the demonstrative adjective.

8

Les squelettes dans le film sont effrayants.

The skeletons in the movie are scary.

Effrayants is the plural adjective.

1

J'ai préparé le squelette de mon exposé.

I prepared the skeleton (outline) of my presentation.

Exposé means a presentation or report.

2

Le squelette de la baleine est immense.

The whale's skeleton is huge.

Immense is a strong adjective for big.

3

Sans squelette, nous serions comme des méduses.

Without a skeleton, we would be like jellyfish.

Serions is the conditional form of être.

4

Le squelette de cette maison est en bois.

The skeleton of this house is made of wood.

En bois indicates the material.

5

Il a besoin d'un squelette pour son animation 3D.

He needs a skeleton for his 3D animation.

Besoin de means 'need of'.

6

Le squelette de l'histoire est très simple.

The skeleton of the story is very simple.

Simple is the same in English and French.

7

Elle a trouvé un squelette ancien dans le jardin.

She found an ancient skeleton in the garden.

Ancien comes after the noun here (meaning old).

8

Le squelette se solidifie pendant la croissance.

The skeleton solidifies during growth.

Se solidifie is a reflexive verb.

1

L'ossature métallique forme le squelette du gratte-ciel.

The metal framework forms the skeleton of the skyscraper.

Ossature is a synonym for framework.

2

Le squelette de l'accord de paix a été signé hier.

The skeleton of the peace agreement was signed yesterday.

A été signé is the passive voice.

3

Le squelette des coraux est menacé par l'acidification.

The skeleton of corals is threatened by acidification.

Menacé means threatened.

4

Ce roman manque de squelette, l'intrigue est floue.

This novel lacks a skeleton; the plot is blurry.

Manque de means 'lacks'.

5

Le squelette externe des insectes est appelé cuticule.

The external skeleton of insects is called a cuticle.

Appelé means called.

6

Il est si maigre qu'on voit son squelette.

He is so thin that you can see his skeleton.

Qu'on voit means 'that one sees'.

7

Le squelette de la ville a été détruit par la guerre.

The skeleton of the city was destroyed by the war.

Détruit is the past participle of détruire.

8

Nous devons définir le squelette de notre stratégie.

We must define the skeleton of our strategy.

Devons is from the verb devoir (must).

1

L'auteur dépouille son récit pour n'en garder que le squelette.

The author strips down his narrative to keep only the skeleton.

Dépouiller means to strip or skin.

2

Le squelette institutionnel de l'UE est complexe.

The institutional skeleton of the EU is complex.

Institutionnel is a formal adjective.

3

L'étude du squelette révèle des informations sur le régime alimentaire.

The study of the skeleton reveals information about the diet.

Révèle is from the verb révéler.

4

Le squelette de cette théorie repose sur des hypothèses fragiles.

The skeleton of this theory rests on fragile hypotheses.

Repose sur means 'rests on'.

5

La maladie a attaqué le squelette de manière irréversible.

The disease attacked the skeleton irreversibly.

De manière irréversible is an adverbial phrase.

6

Le squelette d'un programme informatique est son algorithme.

The skeleton of a computer program is its algorithm.

Informatique relates to computing.

7

Le squelette social de la tribu a été préservé.

The social skeleton of the tribe has been preserved.

Préservé means preserved.

8

Il faut d'abord établir le squelette budgétaire du projet.

We must first establish the budgetary skeleton of the project.

Budgétaire relates to the budget.

1

Le squelette sémantique de la phrase détermine son sens profond.

The semantic skeleton of the sentence determines its deep meaning.

Sémantique relates to meaning.

2

L'artiste explore la beauté intrinsèque du squelette.

The artist explores the intrinsic beauty of the skeleton.

Intrinsèque means inherent.

3

Le squelette fossilisé témoigne d'une époque révolue.

The fossilized skeleton bears witness to a bygone era.

Témoigne de means 'bears witness to'.

4

La structure de l'ADN est le squelette de la vie.

The structure of DNA is the skeleton of life.

Structure and squelette are used synonymously here.

5

Le squelette urbain de Paris a été remodelé par Haussmann.

The urban skeleton of Paris was remodeled by Haussmann.

Remodelé means remodeled.

6

L'épistémologie cherche le squelette de la connaissance.

Epistemology seeks the skeleton of knowledge.

Épistémologie is the study of knowledge.

7

Le squelette de la pensée cartésienne est le doute méthodique.

The skeleton of Cartesian thought is methodical doubt.

Cartésienne refers to Descartes.

8

Le squelette de l'univers est composé de matière noire.

The skeleton of the universe is composed of dark matter.

Matière noire means dark matter.

Colocações comuns

squelette humain
squelette complet
squelette métallique
squelette externe
squelette d'un projet
squelette d'un livre
squelette articulé
réduit à l'état de squelette
squelette fossilisé
squelette de baleine

Frases Comuns

Le squelette de la pensée

— The core structure of an idea.

Quel est le squelette de sa pensée ?

Un squelette dans le placard

— A hidden secret.

Tout le monde a un squelette dans le placard.

Être un squelette

— To be very thin.

Regarde-le, c'est un vrai squelette !

Le squelette d'un bâtiment

— The structural frame of a building.

Le squelette du bâtiment est fini.

Le squelette d'un accord

— The basic terms of a deal.

Nous avons le squelette de l'accord.

Un squelette de fortune

— A makeshift structure.

Ils ont construit un squelette de fortune.

Le squelette d'un site web

— The wireframe of a website.

Le squelette du site est prêt.

N'avoir que la peau et les os

— To be skin and bones (related to skeleton).

Il n'a que la peau et les os.

Le squelette de la ville

— The basic layout of a city.

Le squelette de la ville est médiéval.

Le squelette d'un cours

— The outline of a lesson.

Le squelette du cours est sur le tableau.

Frequentemente confundido com

squelette vs ossature

Ossature is often used for buildings, while squelette is for bodies.

squelette vs carcasse

Carcasse implies something dead, often messy or metallic (cars).

squelette vs charpente

Charpente specifically refers to the wood/metal frame of a roof.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Avoir un squelette dans le placard"

— To have a shameful secret that is hidden from others.

Cette famille a un squelette dans le placard.

neutral
"Être réduit à l'état de squelette"

— To be extremely thin, usually due to illness or hunger.

Après sa maladie, il était réduit à l'état de squelette.

formal
"Le squelette de la vérité"

— The bare, unadorned truth.

Il ne reste que le squelette de la vérité.

literary
"Un squelette de verre"

— Something very fragile despite its structure.

Son argument est un squelette de verre.

poetic
"Vendre le squelette avant d'avoir tué l'ours"

— A variation of 'don't count your chickens before they hatch' (rare).

Il vend le squelette avant d'avoir tué l'ours.

informal
"Danser avec les squelettes"

— To take risks or deal with the past.

Il aime danser avec les squelettes.

informal
"Le squelette du temps"

— The passage of time leaving only essentials.

Le squelette du temps se voit sur les ruines.

literary
"Un squelette de fer"

— A very strong, rigid structure or person.

Il a un squelette de fer.

neutral
"Rire comme un squelette"

— A dry, rattling laugh (descriptive).

Il rit comme un squelette.

informal
"Le squelette de l'ombre"

— A faint, structural outline in the dark.

On voyait le squelette de l'ombre.

poetic

Fácil de confundir

squelette vs os

Both relate to bones.

Os is a single bone; squelette is the whole set.

Il a cassé un os de son squelette.

squelette vs corps

Both refer to the physical being.

Corps is the whole body; squelette is just the bones.

Le squelette est à l'intérieur du corps.

squelette vs crâne

Often associated together.

Crâne is just the skull.

Le crâne est une partie du squelette.

squelette vs armature

Both mean framework.

Armature is usually internal reinforcement for materials.

L'armature du béton.

squelette vs plan

Used for 'skeleton' of a paper.

Plan is the abstract outline; squelette is a more vivid metaphor.

Le plan de mon essai est son squelette.

Padrões de frases

A1

C'est un [adjective] squelette.

C'est un grand squelette.

A2

Le squelette a [number] os.

Le squelette a beaucoup d'os.

B1

Voici le squelette de [noun].

Voici le squelette de mon plan.

B2

Le squelette sert à [verb].

Le squelette sert à soutenir le corps.

C1

Dépouiller jusqu'au squelette.

Il a dépouillé son style jusqu'au squelette.

C2

Le squelette [adjective] de [abstract noun].

Le squelette sémantique de la langue.

A2

Il y a un squelette dans [place].

Il y a un squelette dans le musée.

B1

Le squelette est fait de [material].

Le squelette est fait d'os.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

squelettisation (f)

Verbos

squelettiser

Adjetivos

squelettique

Relacionado

os
ossature
ostéologie
exosquelette
endosquelette

Como usar

frequency

Common in education, science, and structural descriptions.

Erros comuns
  • La squelette Le squelette

    It is a masculine noun despite the ending.

  • Skwelette Squelette

    The 'u' is silent in French 'qu'.

  • Squelet Squelette

    It must end with -ette.

  • Un squelette d'un maison Le squelette d'une maison

    Check gender of the following noun.

  • Ossature de dinosaure Squelette de dinosaure

    Squelette is preferred for biological remains.

Dicas

Double T

Remember the double 't' at the end of 'squelette' to match its rhythm.

Always Masculine

Don't let the '-ette' fool you; 'squelette' is a boy word!

Silent U

The 'u' is just there for show. Keep it silent like in 'question'.

Beyond Bones

Use it to describe the outline of your essays for better grades.

Structural Thinking

Think of 'squelette' as the 'core' of any system or object.

Catacombs

Visit the Catacombs of Paris to see millions of 'squelettes'.

Choose Ossature

Use 'ossature' in engineering contexts for a more professional tone.

206 Bones

Memorize this number to sound smart when talking about 'le squelette'.

Vivid Descriptions

Use 'réduit à l'état de squelette' for dramatic character descriptions.

Drafting

The 'squelette' of your story is your best friend during the first draft.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'skeleton' in a 'skel-ette' (like a small skirt made of bones). It's masculine because 'men' like to build 'skeletons' of buildings.

Associação visual

Imagine a white skeleton standing in a museum next to a red 'LE' sign to remember it's masculine.

Word Web

os crâne fémur corps blanc musée Halloween structure

Desafio

Try to use 'squelette' in three different ways: biological, architectural, and figurative, in one paragraph.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Greek 'skeletos' meaning 'dried up' or 'withered'. It came into French via the Latin 'sceleton'.

Significado original: A dried-up body or mummy.

Indo-European (Hellenic/Latin branch).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'squelette' to describe people, as it can be insensitive regarding their weight or health.

Very similar to the English 'skeleton', making it a 'cognate'.

Les Catacombes de Paris Le Squelette Joyeux (Lumière film) Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Science Class

  • Le squelette humain
  • Les os du corps
  • Étudier l'anatomie
  • Le système osseux

Museum Visit

  • Squelette de dinosaure
  • Fossile ancien
  • Exposition permanente
  • Galerie de paléontologie

Architecture

  • Squelette métallique
  • Structure de base
  • Ossature du bâtiment
  • Poutres porteuses

Writing/Project

  • Le squelette du plan
  • Établir une structure
  • L'ébauche du texte
  • Points principaux

Halloween

  • Décoration de squelette
  • Costume de squelette
  • Fête d'Halloween
  • Effrayant

Iniciadores de conversa

"As-tu déjà vu un vrai squelette de dinosaure au musée ?"

"Pourquoi penses-tu que le squelette est important pour le corps ?"

"Est-ce que tu te déguises en squelette pour Halloween cette année ?"

"Connais-tu le nombre d'os dans le squelette humain ?"

"Comment dirais-tu 'skeleton in the closet' en français ?"

Temas para diário

Décris une visite imaginaire dans un musée rempli de squelettes géants.

Écris le squelette de ton prochain grand projet ou de ta prochaine histoire.

Pourquoi le squelette est-il un symbole si puissant dans l'art et la littérature ?

Imagine que tu es un archéologue qui vient de découvrir un squelette mystérieux.

Explique l'importance du squelette pour la santé physique.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

C'est un nom masculin. On dit 'le squelette' ou 'un squelette'.

On le prononce /skə.lɛt/. Le 'u' est totalement muet.

Il y a généralement 206 os dans le squelette d'un adulte.

Oui, on parle souvent du 'squelette' d'un bâtiment en construction.

Squelette est plus biologique ; ossature est plus technique ou architectural.

On dit 'une équipe réduite' ou 'une ossature'.

Oui, mais c'est un squelette externe appelé 'exosquelette'.

Il vient du grec 'skeletos', qui signifie 'desséché'.

Il s'écrit 'squelettes' avec un 's' à la fin.

Absolument, c'est un symbole très commun pour cette fête.

Teste-se 180 perguntas

writing

Décrivez un squelette en trois phrases.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Écrivez le squelette d'une histoire courte.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Expliquez pourquoi le squelette est important.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Utilisez 'squelette' dans un contexte architectural.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Faites une phrase avec 'un squelette dans le placard'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Décrivez un costume de squelette.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Comparez le squelette d'un humain et d'un oiseau.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Écrivez une phrase sur les Catacombes de Paris.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Utilisez l'adjectif 'squelettique' dans une phrase.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Expliquez le mot 'exosquelette'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Que voyez-vous dans un musée d'histoire naturelle ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Décrivez le squelette d'un bâtiment en construction.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Pourquoi dit-on que quelqu'un est un squelette ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Faites une phrase avec 'ossature'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Quelle est la couleur d'un squelette ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Où se trouve le squelette dans le corps ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Décrivez le squelette d'un dinosaure.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Utilisez 'squelette' pour parler d'un site web.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Écrivez une phrase sur l'étude des os.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Comment le squelette nous aide-t-il ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Prononcez le mot 'squelette'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Dites 'le squelette' et 'les squelettes'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Expliquez ce qu'est un squelette en français.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Dites : 'Le squelette est dans le musée'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Utilisez 'squelette' dans une phrase sur Halloween.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Parlez du squelette d'un projet que vous avez.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Dites : 'Il y a 206 os dans le squelette'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Décrivez un squelette de dinosaure.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Dites : 'Le squelette métallique de la tour'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Expliquez l'expression 'un squelette dans le placard'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Dites : 'Le squelette protège les organes'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Parlez des catacombes de Paris.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Dites : 'L'ossature du bâtiment est prête'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Prononcez 'squelettique'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Dites : 'Le squelette d'un oiseau est léger'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Expliquez pourquoi le squelette est blanc.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Dites : 'Le squelette d'un accord'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Parlez de l'importance du calcium pour le squelette.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Dites : 'Un squelette de fortune'.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Décrivez le squelette d'un site web.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Le squelette'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Un squelette humain'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Les os du squelette'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Le squelette du projet'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Un squelette dans le placard'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'L'ossature métallique'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Le squelette de la baleine'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Un squelette fossilisé'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Le squelette d'une maison'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'C'est un vrai squelette'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Le squelette est dur'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Le squelette de l'histoire'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Les squelettes dansent'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Le squelette de dinosaure'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Un squelette articulé'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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