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collège

middle school, college

noun koh-LEZH Less Common
People & Society Education

Also means

college (institution)

Usage Note

Collège in the French education system refers specifically to the lower secondary school for ages 11–15 (classes 6e to 3e), not a university. This is a classic false friend: English 'college' typically means higher education, whereas a French collège is equivalent to a junior high or middle school. The higher level is le lycée.

Examples

"Ma fille entre au collège cette année."

Natural Translation

My daughter is starting middle school this year.

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