What does les in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word les in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use les in French.

The word les in French means the, -, the, them, -, near, length, width, strip, panel, a tear-jerker of a, at full speed, at full speed, affordable for all, on every street corner, on every street corner, on every corner, every time, I bet, I bet you, on every level, to the four winds, at every opportunity, across the ages, And now back to the studio, put an end to 's/'s suffering, put out of 's/'s misery, use up the leftovers, make use of the leftovers, The Azores, exceed expectations, Love one another, the Aleutian Islands, Ali Baba and the forty thieves, pay with paper money, match prices, fetch, cross swords with, be a people person, Go France!, the Alps, Alpes-Maritimes, the Andes, rings, the rings, the 1920s, the nineteen-twenties, the 2000s, the 1930s, the nineteen-thirties, the 1960s, the nineteen-sixties, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s, the roaring twenties, the West Indies, Netherlands Antilles, Apennines, Apennine Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, the Appalachians, call to all cars, call to all units, learn a few things about life, learn the ropes, fix things, put things right, close the accounts, manage to make ends meet, smooth the rough edges, Asturias, You won't believe your eyes!, arouse envy, provoke envy, In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king, the way things are going, the authorities, others, desperate situations call for drastic remedies, be underfoot, be loaded, be minted, be single-minded, be starry-eyed, have pins and needles in your legs, have heavy legs, be puffy-eyed, be three sheets to the wind, be famished, be ravenous, have your head in the clouds, have a good head on your shoulders, be down in the dumps, be pissed off, hold all the cards, have the wind in your hair, feel the wind in your hair, have blonde hair, have curly hair, have brown hair, have dark hair, have short hair, have crinkly hair, have de-frizzed hair, have straightened hair, have static hair, have hair full of static, have dishevelled hair, have scruffy hair, have tousled hair, have a crew cut, have dishevelled hair, have a short bob, have dishevelled hair, have tired hair, have fine hair, have curly hair, have slick-backed hair, have greasy hair, have long hair, have plastered down hair, have salt and pepper hair, have straight hair, have red hair, be a redhead, get too big for your boots, get too big for your britches, have the willies, get the willies, be unrestrained, be unencumbered, be unfettered, have the balls to do, have the munchies, have crooked teeth. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word les

the

(désigne précisément)

(definite article: the)
Ouvre les portes, ferme les fenêtres. J'ai trouvé que les pommes que j'avais achetées n'étaient pas très bonnes.
Open the doors; close the windows. I didn't think the apples I bought were very good.

-

(généralisant)

Les fruits sont bons pour la santé.
Fruit is good for your health.

the

(avec un nom de famille)

(definite article: the)
Les Martin viennent manger chez nous dimanche prochain.
The Martins are coming to eat with us next Sunday.

them

pronom (pronom objet)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")
Les invités sont arrivés, je vais aller les accueillir.
The guests have arrived; I'll go and welcome them.

-

(souvent familier (pour s'adresser à un groupe)

Alors, les citadins, votre séjour à la ferme se passe bien ? Salut, les copains !
So, city slickers - is your stay on the farm going well? // Hi pals!

near

préposition (près de)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Mon cousin habite à Montigny-lès-Metz.

length

nom masculin (largeur de papier peint) (wallpaper)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il faut plusieurs lés pour couvrir ce mur.
Several lengths are needed to cover this wall.

width

nom masculin (largeur d'un tissu) (fabric)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce lé mesure 9 centimètres.
This width is 9 cm.

strip, panel

nom masculin (bande de tissu) (fabric, wallpaper)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La couturière ajoute un lé pour l'ampleur de la jupe.
The seamstress adds a panel to make the skirt fuller.

a tear-jerker of a

locution adjectivale (figuré, familier (très triste) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pour ne pas que le prof le dispute, l'élève a sorti une histoire à faire pleurer dans les chaumières.

at full speed

locution adverbiale (familier (à vitesse maximale)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

at full speed

locution adverbiale (familier (à vitesse maximale)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

affordable for all

locution adverbiale (accessible à tous les budgets)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ce modèle de voiture venu d'Asie est à la portée de toutes les bourses.

on every street corner

locution adverbiale (croisements de rues)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pour la visite du Président, il y avait des policiers à tous les coins de rue.

on every street corner, on every corner

locution adverbiale (figuré (n'importe où) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
On ne trouve pas un bon boulanger à tous les coins de rue.

every time

locution adverbiale (chaque fois)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce tireur est très précis : quand il tire, il met dans le mille à tous les coups.

I bet, I bet you

(je parie que) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Richard n'est pas encore arrivé ? À tous les coups il s'est arrêté au bistro du coin.

on every level

locution adverbiale (de façon généralisée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

to the four winds

locution adverbiale (figuré (de tous les côtés) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

at every opportunity

locution adverbiale (figuré (à chaque occasion)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Le directeur nous parle de ce projet à toutes les sauces.

across the ages

locution adverbiale (au fil du temps)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

And now back to the studio

interjection (expression de fin d'antenne)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

put an end to 's/'s suffering, put out of 's/'s misery

locution verbale (faire mourir enfin)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Une mauvaise grippe a abrégé ses souffrances dans sa quatre-vingt-quinzième année.

use up the leftovers, make use of the leftovers

locution verbale (faire un plat avec des restes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Après toute la cuisine de ce week-end, je me suis contenté d'accommoder les restes pour le dîner.

The Azores

nom propre féminin pluriel (archipel portugais)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les Açores se trouvent au nord-ouest du Maroc.

exceed expectations

locution verbale (dépasser les chiffres attendus)

Love one another

(respectez-vous les uns les autres) (Christian commandment)

(transitive verb and reflexive pronoun: Transitive verb with reflexive pronoun--for example, "Enjoy yourself." "They behaved themselves.")

the Aleutian Islands

nom propre féminin pluriel (îles du Pacifique nord)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les Aléoutiennes, territoire étatsunien, se trouvent au sud-ouest de l'Alaska.

Ali Baba and the forty thieves

nom propre masculin (récit arabe des Mille et Une Nuits)

pay with paper money

locution verbale (argot (payer en billets)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

match prices

locution verbale (ajuster les prix sur la moyenne)

fetch

locution verbale (familier (coûter) (price)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Une voiture de sport comme ça, ça peut aller chercher dans les 200 000 €.
That type of sports car can fetch up to two hundred thousand euros.

cross swords with

locution verbale (concurrencer [qqn]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Collègues et rivaux, ils ne cessaient d'aller sur les brisées de l'un et de l'autre.

be a people person

verbe intransitif (rencontrer les autres)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Go France!

(Sport : cri d'encouragement) (Sport)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

the Alps

nom propre féminin pluriel (chaîne montagneuse)

Le mont Blanc est le point culminant des Alpes.

Alpes-Maritimes

nom propre féminin pluriel (département français) (French département)

Le département des Alpes-Maritimes est un département français de la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

the Andes

nom féminin pluriel (chaîne de montagnes d'Amérique du Sud)

Les Andes séparent le Chili de l'Argentine.

rings, the rings

nom masculin pluriel (Gymnastique : discipline) (Gymnastics)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Le gymnaste français à décroché la troisième place aux anneaux.
The French gymnast took bronze in the rings.

the 1920s, the nineteen-twenties

nom féminin pluriel (années 1920)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les années 20 sont aussi appelées les années folles.

the 2000s

nom féminin pluriel (période de 2000 à 2009)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les années 2000 correspondent à la première décennie de ce siècle.

the 1930s, the nineteen-thirties

nom féminin pluriel (période de 1930 à 1939)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les congés payés sont une avancée des années 30.

the 1960s, the nineteen-sixties

nom féminin pluriel (période de 1960 à 1969)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
La guerre du Viêt Nam, la guerre d'Algérie ou encore le mouvement hippie appartiennent aux années 60.

the 1970s

nom féminin pluriel (années 1970)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les années 1970 sont aussi appelées années disco.

the 1980s

nom féminin pluriel (période entre 1980 et 1989)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les années 80 furent marquées par la guerre Iran-Irak et la chute du mur de Berlin.

the 1990s

nom féminin pluriel (période entre 1990 et 1999)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les années 90 ont été marquées par l'effondrement du bloc soviétique et la fin de l'Apartheid en Afrique du Sud.

the roaring twenties

nom féminin pluriel (années 1920) (often capitalized)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les années folles font suite à la Première Guerre mondiale.

the West Indies

nom propre féminin pluriel (ensemble d'îles dans la mer des Caraïbes)

Les Antilles sont un archipel de la mer caraïbe.
The West Indies are an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea.

Netherlands Antilles

nom propre féminin pluriel (îles des Caraïbes)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Curaçao fait partie des Antilles néerlandaises.

Apennines, Apennine Mountains

nom propre masculin pluriel (chaîne de montagnes italienne)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Le plus haut sommet des Apennins, dans le nord de l'Italie, culmine à 2912 mètres.

the Appalachian Mountains, the Appalachians

nom propre féminin pluriel (montagnes du nord-est de l’Amérique du Nord)

Les Appalaches s'étendent de Terre Neuve sur le territoire canadien à l'Alabama aux Etats-Unis.

call to all cars, call to all units

nom masculin (communication pour tous les véhicules) (police communications)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

learn a few things about life

locution verbale (être confronté à la vie adulte)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
En rentrant à l'université et en prenant son indépendance, elle va apprendre les choses de la vie.

learn the ropes

locution verbale (apprendre les astuces, les subtilités) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
L'apprenti apprend les ficelles du métier à l'aide de son maître de stage.

fix things, put things right

locution verbale (arranger, résoudre un problème)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

close the accounts

locution verbale (Comptabilité : définir le solde de [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

manage to make ends meet

locution verbale (gagner assez d'argent)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

smooth the rough edges

locution verbale (figuré (calmer, arranger les choses) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Asturias

nom féminin pluriel (région espagnole) (region in Spain)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

You won't believe your eyes!

interjection (ça va vous étonner !) (informal, figurative)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Ce numéro de cirque est fantastique, attention les yeux !

arouse envy, provoke envy

locution verbale (attirer les jalousies)

Sa fortune attisait les convoitises.

In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king

(Les moyens brillent chez les mauvais)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

the way things are going

(vu comme c'est parti)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Au train où vont les choses, ce projet sera en retard.

the authorities

nom féminin pluriel (représentant du pouvoir)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Le criminel a été arrêté par les autorités.
The criminal was arrested by the authorities.

others

pronom (désigne des personnes)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")
Il ne pense qu'à lui et jamais aux autres. Tu restes chez toi tout seul ou tu vas à la fête avec les autres ?
Are you staying at home on your own or going out with the others?

desperate situations call for drastic remedies

(Il ne faut pas lésiner)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

be underfoot

locution verbale (familier (être gêné par la présence de [qqn]) (figurative: subject-object inversion)

J'en ai marre de t'avoir dans les pattes pendant que je cuisine : va jouer dans le salon !
I'm fed up of you being underfoot while I'm cooking; go and play in the living room!

be loaded, be minted

locution verbale (familier (être riche) (informal, figurative)

Il peut nous inviter, il a de l'argent plein les poches !

be single-minded

locution verbale (être déterminé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be starry-eyed

locution verbale (figuré (avoir très apprécié un spectacle)

have pins and needles in your legs

locution verbale (ressentir des picotements aux jambes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Elle a des fourmis dans les jambes parce qu'elle est restée trop longtemps assise en tailleur.

have heavy legs

locution verbale (avoir des soucis de circulation)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be puffy-eyed

locution verbale (figuré (avoir des cernes)

be three sheets to the wind

locution verbale (familier (être ivre) (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Paul avait du vent dans les voiles hier en fin de soirée.

be famished, be ravenous

locution verbale (figuré (être très affamé)

have your head in the clouds

locution verbale (figuré (être rêveur, pensif) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have a good head on your shoulders

locution verbale (agir avec raison, être sensé)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

be down in the dumps

locution verbale (familier (être négatif, abattu)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be pissed off

locution verbale (familier (être dégoûté par [qch]) (UK, vulgar, slang)

hold all the cards

locution verbale (figuré (connaître les faits) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have the wind in your hair, feel the wind in your hair

locution verbale (avoir les cheveux libres)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
C'est le plaisir d'une voiture décapotable que d'avoir les cheveux au vent.

have blonde hair

locution verbale (être blond) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ma sœur a les cheveux blonds alors que mon frère a les cheveux bruns.

have curly hair

locution verbale (légèrement frissé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have brown hair, have dark hair

locution verbale (être brun)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ma sœur a les cheveux blonds alors que mon frère a les cheveux bruns.

have short hair

locution verbale (arborer une coupe courte)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have crinkly hair

locution verbale (avoir une chevelure très frisée)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have de-frizzed hair, have straightened hair

locution verbale (s'être fait défrisé les cheveux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have static hair, have hair full of static

locution verbale (qui ne se laissent pas coiffer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have dishevelled hair, have scruffy hair, have tousled hair

locution verbale (être mal coiffé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les enfants qui ont les cheveux fins, difficiles à coiffer, ont souvent les cheveux en bataille.

have a crew cut

locution verbale (aux cheveux courts et dressés)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les militaires ont souvent les cheveux en brosse.

have dishevelled hair

locution verbale (être mal peigné) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have a short bob

locution verbale (forme de coupe)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have dishevelled hair

locution verbale (familier (être ébouriffé) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le matin, j'ai les cheveux en pétard et il me faut bien 10 minutes pour les coiffer.

have tired hair

locution verbale (avoir une chevelure terne)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have fine hair

locution verbale (avoir une chevelure peu épaisse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have curly hair

locution verbale (avoir une chevelure bouclée)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have slick-backed hair

locution verbale (avoir du gel dans ses cheveux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have greasy hair

locution verbale (avoir les cheveux sales)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have long hair

locution verbale (arborer une longue chevelure)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have plastered down hair

locution verbale (avoir les cheveux peignés en arrière)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have salt and pepper hair

locution verbale (avoir des cheveux grisonnants) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have straight hair

locution verbale (avoir les cheveux droits)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have red hair, be a redhead

locution verbale (être roux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Beaucoup d'Irlandais ont les cheveux roux.

get too big for your boots, get too big for your britches

locution verbale (figuré, familier (se montrer prétentieux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have the willies, get the willies

locution verbale (populaire (avoir peur) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be unrestrained, be unencumbered, be unfettered

locution verbale (être libre d'agir) (figurative)

Dans cette affaire, il faudrait avoir les coudées franches.

have the balls to do

locution verbale (vulgaire (avoir le courage de) (vulgar, figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les voyous s'interpellaient : « Je suis sûr que t'as pas les couilles de venir m'insulter en face ! »

have the munchies

locution verbale (familier (avoir très faim) (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have crooked teeth

locution verbale (avoir la dentition irrégulière)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon fils fait de l'orthodontie car il a les dents de travers.

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of les in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

Do you know about French

French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.