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rivière

river

noun reev-YEHR Less Common

Usage Note

Rivière refers to an inland river that flows into another river, distinguishing it from fleuve, which flows directly into the sea. The Loire is a fleuve; a tributary of it would be a rivière. This distinction matters in French geography and is easy to miss for English speakers who use only one word.

Examples

"Les enfants jouent près de la rivière."

Natural Translation

The children play near the river.

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