bas/ba/
adjective / noun / adverb · A1 · Frequency 903
adjectivemasculine
Meanings
low
Adjective indicating a low position, degree, or height.
Examples
Le siège est bas, mais il reste confortable.
The seat is low, but it remains comfortable.
Ce meuble bas s'intègre facilement sous la fenêtre.
This low piece of furniture fits easily under the window.
Le chanteur adopta un registre bas pour le dernier couplet.
The singer used a bass register for the last verse.
Collocations
- un plafond basa low ceiling
Common mistakes
Cette note est bas.
Cette note est basse.
When the lemma bas means “bass” and modifies the feminine noun note, it must take the feminine form basse.
Related words
nounmasculine
Meanings
stockings
Clothing covering the feet and legs, typically worn by women.
lower end; bottom (of a thing)
Refers to the lowest part or bottom end of an object.
Examples
Elle a retrouvé un bas derrière le radiateur.
She found a stocking behind the radiator.
Une petite fissure apparaît au bas de la tasse.
A small crack has appeared at the bottom of the cup.
Le bas de l'escalier est éclairé toute la nuit.
The bottom of the staircase is lit all night.
Collocations
- mettre des basto put on stockings
- le bas de la pagethe bottom of the page
Common mistakes
un bas
des bas
When referring to stockings or socks, ‘bas’ is usually used in the plural form; the singular is less common.
Related words
nounmasculine
Meanings
stocking
Typically refers to women's stockings worn with skirts or shorts.
Examples
Elle a acheté un bas en laine pour compléter sa tenue.
She bought a wool stocking to complete her outfit.
Un bas s'est déchiré pendant qu'elle mettait ses chaussures.
A stocking tore while she was putting on her shoes.
Il a trouvé un bas derrière le canapé après le déménagement.
He found a stocking behind the sofa after moving.
Collocations
- une paire de basa pair of stockings
Common mistakes
le bas
un bas
When referring to a single stocking, the indefinite article ‘un’ should be used instead of the definite article ‘le’.
Related words
synonymchaussettesock
- antonymhauthigh
adverb
Meanings
low, downwards (adverb)
Used as an adverb indicating position or direction downwards.
Examples
L'avion passa très bas au-dessus du village.
The plane flew very low over the village.
Le ballon est retombé bas dans le ravin.
The balloon fell low into the ravine.
Les hirondelles passent bas avant l'orage.
Swallows fly low before a storm.
Collocations
- voler basto fly low
Common mistakes
bas est un adjectif
bas est un adverbe dans ce sens
In sense_01, bas is used as an adverb, not an adjective.
bas comme un adverbe
bas comme un adjectif
In sense_02, bas is an adjective describing the height of an object.
Related words
adjectivefeminine
Meanings
low
Adjective indicating a low position, degree, or height.
Examples
La porte basse laisse entrer peu de lumière.
The low door lets in little light.
Elle a parlé d'une voix basse pour ne pas réveiller le bébé.
She spoke in a low voice so as not to wake the baby.
Dans cet opéra, la chanteuse adopte une tessiture basse adaptée à son rôle.
In this opera, the singer uses a bass register suited to her role.