noun

le jardin

garden

C'est un espace à l'extérieur d'une maison où l'on peut planter des fleurs, des arbres ou des légumes.

Definition & meaning

Jardin means garden: an area of land where flowers, plants, or crops are grown. It can refer to a private garden or a public one.

Depending on context, it can also mean a yard or outdoor space adjoining a home. In some compounds, it refers to a place for children, as in jardin d’enfants , meaning “kindergarten” or “nursery school.”

Grammar & Word origin

Jardin is a masculine noun: un jardin (“a garden”). Its plural is jardins.

The word comes from Old French and ultimately from a Germanic root meaning an enclosed space or enclosure. It is historically related to the English word “garden.” It is not usually divided into meaningful parts in modern French.

Synonyms & antonyms

There is no exact synonym for every use of jardin:

Parc means “park” and usually refers to a larger public or landscaped area.
Potager means “vegetable garden,” specifically an area used for growing vegetables.
Verger means “orchard,” a garden or plot mainly planted with fruit trees.
Cour means “courtyard” or “yard,” typically a paved or enclosed outdoor area rather than a planted garden.