plage

Everyday

1. (French) «Plage» is the French word for «beach»: «la plage» means «the beach»; it sounds like «plahzh» to an English ear and is not an everyday English word. tree →
2. (science, rare) In astronomy a plage is a bright patch in the Sun's atmosphere near a sunspot. tree →
3. In English it may appear in names of seaside places, like Paris-Plages. tree →

In the lessons

In French lessons pupils learn holiday words: «Je vais à la plage» (I am going to the beach), «la mer» (the sea), «le sable» (the sand). In France and Belgium road signs say «Plage» pointing to the beach. In science it is a rare word for bright areas on the Sun. Phrases: à la plage (to/at the beach), la plage (the beach).

Examples

• «Plage» means «beach» in French. tree →
• (French) Nous allons à la plage. — We are going to the beach. tree →
• The sign in France said «Plage 500 m». tree →
• (French) La plage est très belle. — The beach is very beautiful. tree →
• We sang a French song about a day at the plage. tree →
• In English you say beach, but in French you say plage. tree →
• Scientists photographed a bright plage near a sunspot. tree →
• (French) Il y a du sable sur la plage. — There is sand on the beach. tree →

Note

In French «plage» is a feminine noun: «la plage», «une plage», plural «les plages». Pronounced «plahzh», with the «g» soft like the «s» in «treasure». Not an English word in everyday life; English speakers say «beach». Do not confuse with «page» or «plague».