Looking up...
univers
/y.ni.vɛʁ/
universe
L'univers est vaste et mystérieux.
The universe is vast and mysterious.
general
The entire cosmos, including all matter, energy, and space.
Les scientifiques étudient l'univers pour comprendre son origine.
Scientists study the universe to understand its origin.
In everyday French, 'univers' refers to the physical cosmos.
figurative
A specific domain, field, or context (e.g., 'l'univers de la mode' = the world of fashion).
Elle a créé un univers visuel unique dans son film.
She created a unique visual universe in her film.
This figurative use is common in literature, art, and media.
Collocations
l'univers entierthe entire universel'univers parallèleparallel universel'univers de quelqu'unsomeone's world
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative Use
'Univers' can mean both the physical cosmos and a specific domain (e.g., 'l'univers de la musique'). Context determines the meaning.
Gold Rule
Scientific vs. Creative Contexts
In science, 'univers' refers to the cosmos; in art, it can describe a thematic world.
Word Origin
From Latin 'universum', meaning 'the whole', from 'unus' (one) + 'versus' (turned toward).
Usage Notes
In philosophical or scientific contexts, 'univers' is often used to discuss the cosmos. In creative fields, it can refer to a specific artistic or thematic domain.
Word Breakdown
uni-
one
prefix-vers
turned toward
root-um
whole
suffixDictionnaire Français-Anglais