file

queue, line

noun FEEL Less Common

Also means

row, lane

Usage Note

File refers to a line of people or vehicles (faire la file — to queue) and to a lane of traffic (une file de voitures). The phrase en file indienne means 'in single file' (lit. 'Indian file'). In computing, une file d'attente is a message queue. Distinguish from la fille (girl/daughter), which sounds almost identical.

Examples

"Il y a une longue file devant la caisse."

Natural Translation

There is a long queue at the checkout.

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