Compound nouns formed with [noun] + à + [infinitive] in French

In English we often simply squash two words together to make a compound noun ("dining room"), whereas in French the two words are always joined by a preposition (à, de, en). This lesson looks at those which are formed as [noun] à + [infinitive verb].

Learn about compound nouns with à + [infinitive] in French

Look at these examples:

une planche à repasseran ironing board

une machine à lavera washing machine

une machine à coudrea sewing machine

une pomme à cuire a cooking apple

 

Compound nouns in English formed with -ing + noun are often used to indicate function (e.g. "dining room"). In French, these typically take the form noun + à + verb-infinitive. For example, salle à manger

 

Also have a look at Compound nouns formed with prepositions à/de/en in French

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Examples and resources

une planche à repasseran ironing board
une machine à lavera washing machine
une pomme à cuire a cooking apple
une machine à coudrea sewing machine
un fer à repasseran iron (literally, "an ironing iron")
une corde à sautera skipping rope
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