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éternel

eternal, everlasting

adjective eh-tehr-NEL Less Common
Descriptions & Qualities Degree

Origin: Latin aeternalis

Usage Note

Éternel follows a regular adjective pattern: masculine éternel, feminine éternelle, with the doubled-l feminine form. The expression l'éternel retour ('the eternal return') is a philosophical concept associated with Nietzsche, well known in French intellectual culture. Éternellement is the adverb.

Examples

"Ils ont promis un amour éternel."

Natural Translation

They promised eternal love.

Literal Translation

They have-promised a love eternal.

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