échantillon

The French word “un échantillon,” means “a sample.”

Meanings of “Échantillon”

  1. Sample:
    Perhaps the most common usage of “échantillon” is as a noun referring to a sample or specimen. This meaning is particularly prevalent in scientific, industrial, and commercial contexts. For instance, in a laboratory setting, scientists might examine “un échantillon de sang” (a blood sample) for analysis.
  2. Example:
    Drawing from its Latin roots, “échantillon” can also signify an example or illustration. In this sense, it is often used to clarify or demonstrate a concept. For example, a teacher might say, “Voici un échantillon de la règle” (Here is an example of the rule) when explaining a grammar concept.

Examples of Use

  1. Scientific Context:
  • Les chercheurs ont analysé un échantillon de sol pour détecter la présence de contaminants. (The researchers analyzed a soil sample to detect the presence of contaminants.)
  1. Educational Context:
  • Le professeur a donné un échantillon de problèmes mathématiques à résoudre comme devoir. (The teacher gave a sample of math problems to solve as homework.)
  1. Market Research:
  • L’entreprise a distribué des échantillons de son nouveau produit pour recueillir des commentaires des consommateurs. (The company distributed samples of its new product to collect consumer feedback.)
  1. Product Promotion:
  • Le magasin offrait des échantillons gratuits du parfum le plus vendu de la saison. (The store was offering free samples of the best-selling perfume of the season.)

Etymology:

The Old French term “eschantillon” is the origin of the modern French word “échantillon.” The old French word dates back to 1260 in the earliest record of its usage. It comes from the Latin vulgate word “scandiculum” meaning “scale,” “gauge” or “measure.”

Related words

Other words related to “échantillon” are:

  • “échantillonner,” meaning “to take a sample” or “to sample” as a verb.
  • “l’échantillonnage,” meaning “the sampling” as a noun
  • “un échantillonneur,” meaning “a sampler.” This might be a musical device designed to record sound samples, or a person whose job it is to take samples in a scientific study, or a technical machine that takes samples of a particular substance.

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • Verb: être

    The French verb “être” is important in the French language. It serves as the equivalent of the English verb “to be” and plays a vital role in constructing sentences, expressing identity, existence, and characteristics. With its diverse conjugation patterns, “être” encapsulates the essence of being in the French language. As an irregular verb, “être” defies…

  • il faut que

    The French phrase “il faut que” means “it’s necessary that.” It is used to express obligation and necessity. Unlike the phrase “il faut” (which is used without “que” and with a verb in the infinitive), “il faut que” specifies exactly who should do something. “Il faut que” is always accompanied by a second verb in…

  • passer au caviar

    The French idiom “passer au caviar” means literally “to pass to the caviar” or “to switch to the caviar.” This expression comes from Russia. Under the rule of Tsar Nicholas I (1825-1855), censorship was common. In books and journals, areas that had been censored were covered in black ink. This black ink was the same…

  • un coup

    The French noun “un coup” is versatile and widely used in various contexts. It can mean “a blow” or “a stroke,” but its meanings extend far beyond these basic definitions. Basic Meanings Idiomatic Expressions “Un coup” appears in many idiomatic expressions, each with its own unique meaning. Here are some common ones:

  • Verb: devoir

    1. To Have To – Expressing Necessity and Obligation: The primary meaning of “devoir” is to express necessity and obligation, akin to “to have to” or “must” in English. It emphasizes the requirement to perform an action or fulfill a duty. Examples: Conjugations: 2. Ought To – Expressing Moral or Social Expectations: “Devoir” also conveys…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *