école
Mon frère va à l'école primaire.
My brother goes to primary school.
A place where children or students receive education.
L'école commence à huit heures du matin.
School starts at eight in the morning.
Elle enseigne dans une école de musique.
She teaches at a music school.
In French, 'école' can refer to any educational institution, from nursery to university, depending on context. 'École maternelle' = nursery school, 'école primaire' = primary school, 'collège' = middle school, 'lycée' = high school.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Gender and article
'École' is a feminine noun in French. Always use 'la' (the) or 'une' (a) before it, e.g., 'la école' (incorrect) → 'l'école' (correct).
Gold Rule
Context matters
The level of education implied by 'école' depends on context. For example, 'école' alone often refers to primary school, while 'lycée' or 'université' are used for older students.
Word Origin
From Latin 'schola', from Greek 'scholē' (σχολή), meaning 'leisure, study, discussion'. First recorded in French in the 12th century.
Usage Notes
The word 'école' is feminine in French. It can also metaphorically refer to a style or method of teaching (e.g., 'école de pensée' = school of thought).