la fabrique
factory
Definition & meaning
Fabrique has several meanings, depending on its grammatical role:
- A factory or workshop: a place where goods are made. For example, it can refer to a small workshop or, in some contexts, a manufacturing facility.
- A way of making or producing something, or the structure and design of something. For example, la fabrique d’un récit can mean “the making” or “construction” of a story.
- A church’s administrative body or property: in historical or religious contexts, la fabrique refers to the people or institution responsible for managing a church’s finances and upkeep.
It is also a form of the verb fabriquer : il/elle fabrique means “he/she makes or manufactures,” and fabrique ! can be a command meaning “make!” or “manufacture!”
Grammar & Word origin
As a noun, fabrique is feminine: une fabrique. Its plural is fabriques.
As a verb form, fabrique is the present-tense form used with je, il, elle, or on, and the informal singular command form of fabriquer .
The noun and verb are related to the idea of making or constructing. They ultimately come from Latin fabricare, “to make or construct.”
Synonyms & antonyms
For the meaning “factory or workshop”:
- usine means “factory” and usually suggests a larger industrial production site.
- atelier means “workshop” and often suggests a smaller space, craft work, or an artist’s studio.
- manufacture can mean a factory or the process of making goods; it often sounds more formal or industrial.
For the verb meaning “makes or manufactures”:
- produit means “produces,” with emphasis on bringing something into existence or outputting it.
- confectionne often means “makes” or “assembles,” particularly for clothing or crafted items.
- crée means “creates” and emphasizes bringing something new into being, rather than manufacturing it.
There is no single direct antonym for fabrique in these senses. Depending on context, détruit (“destroys”) or démolit (“demolishes”) can express an opposing action.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
La fabrique ferme tôt le vendredi.noun
The factory closes early on Friday.
Mon père travaille dans une fabrique de meubles.noun
My father works in a furniture factory.
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