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piaf

sparrow

noun PYAF Rare

Usage Note

Piaf is informal French for a small bird, especially a sparrow. Édith Piaf took this as her stage name — the nickname was slang for 'sparrow' in Parisian street argot, reflecting her small stature. In everyday speech, the more standard word for sparrow is un moineau.

Examples

"Un piaf chantait sur le rebord de la fenêtre."

Natural Translation

A sparrow was singing on the windowsill.

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