Category: AdjectivesPart of speech: adjectiveDifficulty: Common
propre
/propre/Roman
English meaning: Clean
Definition
Free from dirt, marks, or impurities.
Example
“La chambre est propre et bien rangee.”
In English: “The room is clean and tidy.”
Another example: “Mets une chemise propre pour le dîner.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Adjective with two key senses by position: 'clean' when after the noun ('les mains propres') and 'own/one's own' when before it ('ma propre voiture'). Also means 'proper/suitable' and 'literal' ('au sens propre'). Learners must master this position rule.
Common Collocations
- les mains propres
- ma propre maison
- au sens propre
- un nom propre
- propre à
Word Forms
propre (m/f), propres (pl); adv. proprement
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“Aimer, c'est agir.”
“To love is to act.”
“Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien.”
“The perfect is the enemy of the good.”
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- Latin
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- Romance
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