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La Mer – Sea, ocean

La Mer – Sea, ocean

Today we’ll look at a beginner noun which is essesntial for all students to know: la mer, which means sea, seaside and coast. I’m now by the sea in Mexico and have incluced a beautiful picture at the bottom of the page! Keep reading!

la mer – [mɛʀ]

sea

Word origin

The French feminine noun mer (sea) comes from marinus in Latin.

Example sentences

This first sentence is audiobiographical as I spent over ten years in both Thailand and on the island of Martha’s Vineyard!

J’ai passé plus de dix ans de ma vie au bord de la mer.

I spent more than ten years of my life by the seaside.

I wrote this next sentence using à la mer (to the sea) but could have also written à la plage (to the beach).

Cette année, nous partons en vacances à la mer.

We’ll go on vacation to the sea this year.

The word depuis means “since” in French. However, it can also mean “from” in the context of “from a vantage point”.

On peut voir la mer agitée depuis le balcon.

You can see the rough sea from the balcony.

A lot of students have difficulties with the pronunciation of Méditerranée (Mediterranean). Try breaking it down by its five syllables: Mé-di-terr-a-née

La mer Méditerranée est située au sud de l’Europe et au nord de l’Afrique.

The Mediterranean Sea is located to the south of Europe and north of Africa.

Word of the Day Lessons

La mer au Mexique = the sea in Mexico

La mer au Mexique = the sea in Mexico

Lessons by David Issoskon

Related lessons

References

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David Issokson
David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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