fleuve

river

noun FLUHV Less Common

Usage Note

Fleuve specifically means a river that flows into the sea, distinguishing it from rivière, which flows into another river. Learners should not use them interchangeably — the Seine and the Loire are fleuves, while their tributaries are rivières. The expression un fleuve de larmes means 'a flood of tears'.

Examples

"La Loire est le plus long fleuve de France."

Natural Translation

The Loire is the longest river in France.

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