la race
breed
C'est un groupe de personnes ou d'animaux qui partagent des caractéristiques physiques communes, comme la couleur de la peau ou la forme du visage.
Definition & meaning
Race is a feminine French noun: une race. It has several related meanings:
-
Breed or variety of animals
A group of animals with shared physical or genetic characteristics, especially a recognized breed.- une race de chien — a dog breed
- un cheval de race — a thoroughbred horse
-
Human race or ethnic group
Historically, race was used to classify human beings into supposed biological groups. In modern French, this use is generally considered outdated or problematic because human “races” do not constitute clear biological categories. Depending on the context, terms such as population or ethnie are often preferred. -
A race or competitive event
A competition in which participants try to cover a distance or complete a course faster than others.- gagner une race — to win a race
- une course de Formule 1 — a Formula One race
In this sense, the usual modern French word is course rather than race. Race is particularly common in sports contexts influenced by English or when referring to motor racing.
-
A lineage or family line
In literary or historical language, it can refer to a family, dynasty, or lineage.- une noble race — a noble lineage
Grammar & Word origin
- Gender: feminine
- Singular: une race
- Plural: des races
- Pronunciation: approximately “rahss” /ʁas/
The word has been used in French since the sixteenth century. It probably came through Italian razza, although its deeper origin is uncertain. The final -e marks the feminine noun but does not form a separate meaningful suffix in modern French.
Synonyms & antonyms
The appropriate synonym depends on the meaning:
- espèce — species or kind; broader and more scientific than race, which often refers to a subgroup within a species.
- lignée — lineage or bloodline; emphasizes ancestry rather than shared physical characteristics.
- souche — stock or line of descent; often used for origins or genealogical roots.
- cours — race or course in some sporting contexts, though course is the normal noun for a race.
- compétition — competition; broader than a race and not necessarily based on speed or distance.
There is no single direct antonym for race. Depending on the context, possible contrasts include:
- individu — an individual, contrasted with a group or breed.
- mélange — mixture, contrasted with a distinct lineage or breed.
- immobilité — immobility, only when race refers to a running or motor race.
Common phrases & collocations
- une race de chien — a dog breed
- un chien de race — a purebred dog
- un cheval de race — a thoroughbred horse
- la race humaine — the human race
- la race humaine — a traditional expression, now often replaced by l’humanité
- une course de voitures — a car race
- de race pure — purebred
- hors de race — exceptionally talented or high-quality; literally “outside the ordinary breed”
- enraciné dans une race — rooted in a lineage or tradition, generally literary
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Examples
Cette race de chien est très gentille.noun
This breed of dog is very gentle.
Cette race de chat est magnifique.noun
This breed of cat is beautiful.
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