labourer

to plough (a field)

verb lah-boo-REH Rare

Also means

to dig into, to furrow

Usage Note

Labourer is a regular -er verb used literally for ploughing agricultural land and figuratively for scratching or gouging a surface (ses griffes lui ont labouré la peau — its claws raked his skin). Note: it is a 'false friend' — it does NOT mean 'to labour/work hard'; that is travailler dur.

Examples

"Le paysan laboure son champ au printemps."

Natural Translation

The farmer ploughs his field in spring.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

French Adjective Placement: Before or After the Noun?

French adjectives usually follow the noun, but a small common set goes before it — and a few change meaning depending on which side they sit. Here's the rule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

How to Say "I Miss You" in French (Without Errors)

"I miss you" in French is Tu me manques, not Je te manque. Learn the subject-flip behind manquer so you never text the opposite of what you mean.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Numbers 1 to 100: Count With Confidence

French numbers 1 to 100 in one complete chart, with pronunciation, the et-un rule, hyphens, and the four-twenties system explained so you can count anywhere.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Silent Letters: The CaReFuL Rule

Final consonants in French are silent by default — except C, R, F, L. The CaReFuL rule, the silent -e, the plural-s trap, and liaison, explained simply.

June 4, 2026 5 min read