livre/livʁ/
noun / prop.n. · A2 · Frequency 499
nounmasculine
Meanings
book
Refers to printed or handwritten books, the most common meaning.
pound (unit of weight)
Refers to a unit of weight, commonly used to measure mass.
Examples
Ce livre raconte l'histoire d'une famille pendant la guerre.
This book tells the story of a family during the war.
J'ai acheté ce livre pour mon trajet en train.
I bought this book for my train journey.
Elle a laissé son livre sur la table de la cuisine.
She left her book on the kitchen table.
Collocations
- un livre de référencereference book
- une livre de farinea pound of flour
Common mistakes
J’ai emprunté une livre à la bibliothèque.
J’ai emprunté un livre à la bibliothèque.
When livre means “book,” it is masculine and takes un livre; une livre refers to the unit of weight “pound.”
Related words
synonymvolumevolume (of a book or written work)
synonymbouquinbook, especially an old or second-hand one
nounfeminine
Meanings
pound (unit of weight)
Colloquially ~500 g (half-kilo); also the imperial pound (~453 g).
pound (unit of currency)
Refers to the currency unit, such as the British pound
Examples
Le marchand vendait une livre de sucre au marché.
The merchant was selling a pound of sugar at the market.
La recette demande une livre de farine.
The recipe calls for a pound of flour.
La livre sterling a légèrement progressé face à l'euro.
The pound sterling rose slightly against the euro.
Collocations
- une livre de beurrea pound of butter
- la livre sterlingthe pound sterling
Common mistakes
Cette recette demande un livre de farine.
Cette recette demande une livre de farine.
When livre means the unit of weight “pound,” it is feminine and takes une livre; un livre means “book.”
Related words
synonympoidsweight
synonymmonnaiecurrency
synonymniveaulevel, grade
prop.n.masculine
Meanings
book, volume
Common term referring to any kind of book.
synonym of Bible
Used specifically to refer to the Christian Bible.
Examples
Ce livre est très intéressant et traite de l'histoire de France.
This book is very interesting and deals with the history of France.
J'ai acheté un livre hier pour améliorer mon français.
I bought a book yesterday to improve my French.
Le Livre est considéré comme un texte sacré dans le christianisme.
The Book is considered a sacred text in Christianity.
Collocations
- lire un livreread a book
- acheter un livrebuy a book
- la Sainte Bible, appelée Livrethe Holy Bible, called Livre
Common mistakes
un livre
le livre
Learners often confuse definite and indefinite articles; use the definite article when referring to a specific book.
livres
livre
Singular form is more common when referring to a book title; plural may cause ambiguity.
Related words
synonymouvragework, book
synonymBibleBible