le
/kado/
Translation
gift, present
Word origin
From Old Occitan capdel ('chief, flourish of the pen'), from Latin capitellum ('little head'), a diminutive of caput ('head'). It came to mean a decorative flourish, then a gift. The same root gave English 'capital'.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- capitellum
- English cognates
- capital, chapter
Grammar
Examples
J' ' .
I bought a birthday gift for my niece this morning.
' ' .
It is no fun having this kind of problem to deal with.
' .
She was very moved by the gift we gave her.
.
The boss gave us a lovely Christmas present.
.
I'm looking for an original gift for my parents.
est un nom masculin, pluriel cadeaux. Faire un cadeau (to give a gift) et offrir un cadeau (to offer a gift) sont les constructions verbales courantes. Cadeau d'anniversaire (birthday present) et cadeau de Noel (Christmas present) sont les collocations les plus frequentes.
Ce n'est pas un cadeau (it is no gift, it is a burden) est une expression ironique. Boutique de cadeaux (gift shop) et papier cadeau (wrapping paper) sont des termes pratiques. Cadeau empoisonne (poisoned chalice) designe un bienfait apparent mais nuisible.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
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cadeau: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "cadeau" (gift, present): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 12.