French · Nature & Environment
riviere
river
Beginnernoun · f
Definition
A large natural stream of water flowing to the sea.
Example
La riviere traverse la foret.
The river flows through the forest.
Etymology
'Rivière' comes from the Latin 'ripa', meaning 'bank' or 'shore'. Over time, it has come to specifically refer to bodies of flowing water.
How & Where It’s Used
'Rivière' is used in both informal and formal contexts in spoken and written French. It is particularly important in geographical and ecological discussions.