la somme
sum
C'est le résultat obtenu quand on additionne plusieurs nombres.
Definition & meaning
The word somme has two distinct primary meanings in French, which are distinguished by their grammatical gender:
- La somme (feminine): This refers to the result of an addition in mathematics (a sum) or a specific amount of money. It can also be used figuratively to describe a monumental work of literature or scholarship that covers a subject comprehensively (e.g., une somme théologique).
- Le somme (masculine): This refers to a short period of sleep or a nap. It is most commonly used in the expression faire un somme, which means to take a nap.
Additionally, Somme (proper noun) is the name of a river and a department in northern France, famously known for the Battle of the Somme during World War I.
Grammar & Word origin
The two meanings of somme come from different Latin roots:
- La somme (feminine): Derived from the Latin summa, which means "highest point," "main thing," or "total amount." In mathematics, it is the result of adding terms together.
- Le somme (masculine): Derived from the Latin somnus, meaning "sleep." Over time, the Latin somnus evolved into somme in French to specifically denote the act or a short duration of sleeping, while sommeil became the general word for sleep.
Synonyms & antonyms
For "la somme" (feminine)
For "le somme" (masculine)
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Examples
Nous devons payer une somme aujourd’hui.noun
We have to pay a sum today.
La somme est trop grande pour lui.noun
The sum is too big for him.
Peux-tu calculer la somme rapidement ?noun
Can you calculate the sum quickly?
La somme était petite hier.noun
The sum was small yesterday.
J’ai noté les sommes dans mon cahier.noun
I noted the sums in my notebook.
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