This lesson examines a word which many students have a very difficult time pronouncing: le milieu, meaning middle, center and midpoint. This is a highly versatile word with many usages. It’s also a word that English has borrowed from French.
le milieu
middle, center, midpoint
Word origin
The Modern French masculine noun milieu is comprised of the prefix mi– (half), which comes from medius (middle, middle of, mid) in Latin and lieu (place, spot), which comes from locus (place) in Latin.
Milieu pronunciation
The pronunciation of milieu is [mi-ljø] or mee-lee-uh.
Example sentences
Le point est au milieu du cercle.
The point is in the middle of the circle.
Je conduis dans la file du milieu.
I drive in the middle lane.
For this sentence, the literal translation of vers is “towards” or “around”.
J’ai dû aller aux toilettes vers le milieu du film.
I had to go to the restroom in the middle of the movie.
For this sentence, the meaning of milieu is environment. In this context, English has borrowed the word milieu from French.
Sylvie s’adapte bien à son nouveau milieu.
Sylvie is adapting well to her new environment (or milieu).
For this example, milieu can translate to background, social standing or walk of life.
Martin est d’un milieu riche.
Martin is from a rich background.
For this sentence, milieu means field, area or domain.
Marc a travaillé dans le milieu de la finance.
Marc worked in the financial field.
Related lessons
- Endroit – place
- Devoir – Must, have to
- 25 Most Difficult French Words To Pronounce
- Fille – girl, daughter
Reference
Word of the Day | Lessons by David Issokson
