Picture scene
Route, chemin, rue: explore a French town and find the way
Explore a town street, a forest path and a road out of town. Learn route, chemin and rue with eight illustrated spots, directions and four questions.
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In short
Une rue is a street; une route is a road; un chemin is a path or way. In demander son chemin, the word means asking the way, even in a town. For a planned route, un itinéraire is often useful.
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From the town centre to the trees
Find:
What is the difference between route, chemin and rue?
| Noun | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| une rue | Traversez la rue. | Cross the street. |
| une route | Nous prenons la route du village. | We take the road to the village. |
| un chemin | Suivez le chemin jusqu’au parc. | Follow the path to the park. |
The picture gives each noun a clear setting. In everyday use, a route can pass through a village, and chemin can name the way along several streets. For an address, keep its stated name: 12, rue des Lilas. The words avenue, boulevard and place can also be part of an address.
- Visitor
Excusez-moi, vous pouvez m’indiquer le chemin de la gare ?
Excuse me, can you show me the way to the station?
- Resident
Oui. Continuez tout droit dans cette rue.
Yes. Keep going straight along this street.
- Visitor
Je traverse au passage piéton ?
Do I cross at the pedestrian crossing?
- Resident
Oui. La gare est au bout de la rue.
Yes. The station is at the end of the street.
Quel itinéraire préfères-tu pour aller au village ?
Which route do you prefer for getting to the village?
Un itinéraire is the overall route. It can include several streets, roads and paths.