Picture scene
Ville or village? Explore a French village and describe where you live
Explore a village square, shops and a river. Learn une ville, un village, en ville and au village with illustrated vocabulary and a short quiz.
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In short
Une ville means a town or a city. Un village means a village. Say J’habite dans une petite ville or J’habite dans un village, then add a detail: Il y a une rivière (there is a river).
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
une villea town or city
Focus: an urban place, large or small
dans une ville / en ville
Ma sœur habite dans une grande ville.
My sister lives in a big city.
Je vais en ville samedi.
I’m going into town on Saturday.
un villagea village
Focus: a small settlement
dans un village / au village
J’habite dans un village près de la mer.
I live in a village near the sea.
Mes parents sont au village.
My parents are in the village.
Explore the village: find the square, the shops and the river
Find:
What is the difference between ville and village?
| French | English | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| J’habite dans une petite ville. | I live in a small town. | Describe your home town |
| Je fais mes courses en ville. | I do my shopping in town. | Say where you shop |
| Je suis au village. | I’m in the village. | Refer to a village you both know |
| La gare est dans le centre-ville. | The station is in the town centre. | Name the central area |
Keep the genders together: une petite ville, un petit village. The compound le centre-ville is masculine because centre is masculine. La mairie is the town hall; it is one building in the town or village.
- Nora
Tu habites en ville ?
Do you live in town?
- You
Non, dans un village près de la rivière.
No, in a village near the river.
- Nora
Il y a des magasins ?
Are there any shops?
- You
Oui, il y a une boulangerie à côté de la mairie.
Yes, there’s a bakery next to the town hall.