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patrie

homeland

noun pah-TREE Less Common

Origin: Latin patria 'fatherland'

Usage Note

Patrie carries strong emotional and patriotic weight — it is the word in France's national motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité and the Marseillaise ('Allons enfants de la Patrie'). It is more formal and emotive than pays, which just means 'country'. Mourir pour la patrie means 'to die for one's country'.

Examples

"Ils ont défendu leur patrie avec courage."

Natural Translation

They defended their homeland with courage.

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