livre

book

noun lee-vruh Common

Origin: Latin 'liber' (book) and Latin 'libra' (scales, pound)

Also means

pound (weight or currency)

Usage Note

Livre is one of the rare French nouns where gender determines meaning: un livre (masculine) is a book, while une livre (feminine) is a pound — of weight or the old French currency. Context usually makes it clear, but learners should note that la livre sterling is the British pound today.

Examples

"Elle lit un livre intéressant."

Natural Translation

She is reading an interesting book.

Literal Translation

She reads a book interesting

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