What does bas in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word bas in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use bas in French.

The word bas in French means bottom, stocking, bottoms, low, sock, downcast, low, low, quietly, softly, low, down with !, insidiously, reduced, at a low level of output, at a low rate of productivity, at the least, be up and down, be depressed, Low German, lower body frame, side-skirt, lower case, support stocking, bottom of the range, bottom-of-the-range, nest egg, bikini bottoms, Christmas stocking, bottom of the page, trouser bottom, pyjama bottoms, bottom of the table, lower back, the Late Empire, the Low Empire, Drop the act!, hands off!, cheap cut, the late Middle Ages, lower class, proletariat, fishnet stockings, blue stocking, roadside, side aisle, ocean bank, ghetto, the shallows, of Lower Normandy, from Lower Normandy, Lower Norman dialect, Lower Normandy dialect, Lower Norman, bas-relief, Bas-Rhin, lower abdomen, libido, sex drive, clearing the decks, commotion, bustle, Action stations!, Action stations!, flurry, commotion, It's not exactly scintillating conversation!, hats off to, start at the bottom, below the belt, low blow, cheap shot, from the bottom up, third-rate, low-class, low-class, lower-class, from top to bottom, from the top to the bottom, knee sock, knee high, say what everyone else is thinking, say out loud what everyone else is thinking, bottom, at the bottom, on the ground floor of, in the bottom right-hand corner, in the bottom left-hand corner, very young, in front of your place, in front of your front door, at the bottom, at the bottom of the page, in this old world, very young child, be at the bottom of the ladder, hit rock bottom, hit rock bottom, be a bit slow on the uptake, keep a low profile, low-pass filter, on earth, here on earth, here below, there are highs and lows, there are ups and downs, upside down, over there, low-level language, give birth, knee-high sock, knee-length sock, birth, level down, dumbing down, footnote, speak softly, low-pass filter, the Netherlands, build up a nest egg, lower bridge, drag down, drive down, underscore, stoop low, sink low, very low, Take a walk!, Take a hike!, fly low, be petty, be mean-spirited, be lewd. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word bas

bottom

nom masculin (partie inférieure de [qch])

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les annotations sont en bas de page.
The notes are at the bottom of the page.

stocking

nom masculin (surtout au pluriel (pièce de l'habillement féminin) (usually plural)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pour se protéger du froid, Sandra met des bas en laine.
To ward off the cold, Sandra puts on woollen stockings.

bottoms

nom masculin (partie basse d'un vêtement) (UK)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Ah, c'est malin ! J'ai oublié de mettre mon bas de survêtement dans mon sac de sport !
Aw, nice job! I forgot to put my sweat pants in my gym bag!

low

adjectif (peu élevé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
J'ai deux chaises basses pour les enfants.
I've got two low chairs for the children.

sock

nom masculin (Can (chaussette)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
J'ai acheté des bas en laine pour cette hiver.

downcast

adjectif (incliné vers le bas)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il avait mauvaise mine et le regard bas.
He didn't look good and his gaze was downcast.

low

adjectif (douce)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Elle raconte une histoire à voix basse.
She is telling a story in a low voice.

low

adjectif (méprisable, mesquin) (figurative)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Raconter cela, c'est vraiment bas.
Saying things like that is really low.

quietly, softly

adverbe (d'une voix faible)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Nous l'entendions à peine, elle parlait tout bas.
We could barely hear her, she was speaking so quietly.

low

adverbe (ton grave)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Le professeur la corrige car elle chante trop bas.
The teacher corrects her as she is singing too low.

down with !

(mettons fin à [qch])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
"À bas la corruption !" scandaient les manifestants.
"Down with corruption!" chanted the protesters.

insidiously

locution adverbiale (Médecine : lentement et discrètement)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Au début, les cancers se développent souvent à bas bruit.

reduced

locution adjectivale (pas cher)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Les produits à bas prix se trouvent sur une gondole spéciale à l'entrée du magasin.
The reduced items can be found on a special shelf by the entrance of the shop.

at a low level of output, at a low rate of productivity

locution adverbiale (à peu de tours par minute)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
En été, l'usine tourne à bas régime.
In the summer, the factory functions at a low level of output.

at the least

locution adverbiale (courant, figuré (au moins)

be up and down

locution verbale (avoir le moral fluctuant) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Depuis la mort de son mari, elle a des hauts et des bas.

be depressed

locution verbale (être déprimé)

Mon frère a le moral au plus bas depuis qu'il s'est fait larguer.

Low German

nom masculin (groupe de dialectes) (dialect)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le bas allemand s'oppose au haut allemand.

lower body frame, side-skirt

nom masculin (partie inférieure d'un véhicule) (car)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il a tapé le bas de caisse dans une borne en se garant.

lower case

nom masculin (typographie : minuscules)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

support stocking

nom masculin (bas pour insuffisance veineuse)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

bottom of the range

nom masculin (modèles simples)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le bas de gamme s'ouvre avec des modèles 3 portes, sans vitres électriques.
The bottom of the range starts with the 3-door models with no electric windows.

bottom-of-the-range

adjectif invariable (de qualité inférieure)

(noun as adjective: Describes another noun--for example, "boat race," "dogfood.")
Cette boutique vend des produits bas de gamme.
This shop sells lower-end products.

nest egg

nom masculin (figuré (économies)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Avec mon bas de laine je vais pouvoir m'acheter une bicyclette.

bikini bottoms

nom masculin (culotte de maillot de bain)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

Christmas stocking

nom masculin (chaussette pour cadeaux)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

bottom of the page

nom masculin (partie inférieure d'une page)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

trouser bottom

nom masculin (partie couvrant le mollet, la cheville) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

pyjama bottoms

nom masculin (pantalon de pyjama) (UK)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

bottom of the table

nom masculin (bas de classement) (competition ranking)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

lower back

nom masculin (région lombaire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

the Late Empire, the Low Empire

nom propre masculin (période finale de l'Empire romain)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Drop the act!

interjection (faire éclater la vérité)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

hands off!

interjection (familier (Ne touchez pas !) (informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

cheap cut

locution adjectivale (viande moins noble) (meat)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La viande utilisée pour faire le pot-au-feu est classée comme bas morceau.

the late Middle Ages

nom masculin (Moyen Âge tardif) (historical period)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Le bas Moyen Âge désigne les XIVe et XVe siècles.

lower class, proletariat

nom masculin (péjoratif (plèbe, petites gens) (potentially offensive)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

fishnet stockings

nom masculin (lingerie : bas quadrillé)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

blue stocking

nom masculin (vieilli (femme à prétentions littéraires) (dated)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Tout cercle littéraire compte quelques bas-bleus.

roadside

nom masculin (bord de route)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il est déconseillé de stationner sur ces bas-côtés.

side aisle

nom masculin (Architecture : collatéral) (Architecture)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le bas-côté d'une église est un vaisseau latéral d'un côté d'une nef.

ocean bank

nom masculin (mer : fond profond)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le navires peuvent naviguer sans risque dans les bas-fonds.

ghetto

nom masculin pluriel (quartier mal famé)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il est dangereux de traîner dans les bas-fonds la nuit.

the shallows

nom masculin (vieilli (mer : fond peu profond)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

of Lower Normandy, from Lower Normandy

adjectif (de Basse-Normandie)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Les nationaux bas-normands ont gagné le match.

Lower Norman dialect, Lower Normandy dialect

nom masculin (patois de Basse-Normandie) (language)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le bas-normand n'est plus parlé.

Lower Norman

(habitant de Basse-Normandie) (person)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les Bas-Normands ont été les témoins du débarquement des Américains.

bas-relief

nom masculin (œuvre sculptée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les bas-reliefs de cette église sont superbes.

Bas-Rhin

nom propre masculin (département français) (French département)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le Bas-Rhin est un département français de la région Alsace avec Strasbourg pour préfecture.

lower abdomen

nom masculin (partie du ventre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'assaillant a neutralisé son adversaire d'un coup de pied au bas-ventre.

libido, sex drive

nom masculin (familier (désir sexuel)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Après deux mois d'abstinence, son bas-ventre commençait à la démanger.

clearing the decks

nom masculin (rangement d'un bateau militaire)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a le branle-bas du matin et le branle-bas de combat.

commotion, bustle

nom masculin (agitation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce matin il y a le branle-bas des départs en vacances.

Action stations!

interjection (Tout le monde à son poste !) (UK)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Action stations!

interjection (Préparez-vous au combat !) (UK)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

flurry, commotion

nom masculin (grande agitation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

It's not exactly scintillating conversation!

(familier (commentaire peu intéressant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Chacun dit n'importe quoi, ça vole bas !

hats off to

interjection (bravo, félicitations)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Chapeau bas ! Il a réussi à redresser cette entreprise au bord de la faillite.
Hats off to him! He's managed to take a business on the verge of bankruptcy and turn it around.

start at the bottom

locution verbale (débuter à un poste subalterne)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce chef d'entreprise a démarré en bas de l'échelle.

below the belt

nom masculin (Boxe (frappe en dessous de la ceinture) (Boxing)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

low blow, cheap shot

nom masculin (figuré (attaque déloyale) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
That was below the belt.

from the bottom up

locution adverbiale (du bas vers le haut)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
La fermeture de la tente s'ouvre de bas en haut.

third-rate, low-class

locution adjectivale (figuré (bas, vil)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

low-class, lower-class

locution adjectivale (qui appartient aux classes inférieures)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

from top to bottom, from the top to the bottom

locution adverbiale (verticalement vers le bas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

knee sock, knee high

nom masculin (chaussette montant jusqu'au genou)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Souvent, sous un pantalon, les femmes portent des demi-bas.

say what everyone else is thinking, say out loud what everyone else is thinking

locution verbale (dire à haute voix ce que chacun pense)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Son tort est de dire tout haut ce que tout le monde pense tout bas.

bottom

locution adjectivale (inférieur)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Mes dents du bas me font mal. Tu trouveras des draps dans le tiroir du bas.

at the bottom

locution adverbiale (au pied de [qch])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Si le sel n'est pas en bas, regarde en haut.
If the salt is not at the bottom look at the top.

on the ground floor of

(au pied de [qch]) (UK)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Lucie habite en bas de cet immeuble.
Lucy lives on the ground floor of this building.

in the bottom right-hand corner

locution adverbiale (dans le coin inférieur droit)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

in the bottom left-hand corner

locution adverbiale (dans le coin inférieur gauche)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

very young

locution adjectivale (durant la petite enfance)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

in front of your place, in front of your front door

(en contrebas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

at the bottom

locution adverbiale (figuré (en bas de la hiérarchie)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce sont les employés en bas de l'échelle qui ont le plus souffert de la crise traversée par l'entreprise.

at the bottom of the page

locution adverbiale (à la fin d'une page)

Vous trouverez les coordonnées du service clientèle en bas de la page.

in this old world

locution adverbiale (soutenu (sur Terre) (colloquial)

very young child

nom masculin et féminin (jeune enfant de moins de 5 ans)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce type de médicament est contre-indiqué aux enfants en bas âge.

be at the bottom of the ladder

locution verbale (figuré (être tout en bas de la hiérarchie) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

hit rock bottom

locution verbale (atteindre un bas niveau) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le Président est au plus bas dans les sondages après sa série de réformes impopulaires.

hit rock bottom

locution verbale (être déprimé) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon frère est au plus bas depuis qu'il s'est fait larguer.

be a bit slow on the uptake

locution verbale (figuré, familier (être assez stupide) (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

keep a low profile

locution verbale (rester discret)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Après la bourde que j'ai faite, je fais profil bas.

low-pass filter

nom masculin (électronique : filtre basse fréquence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

on earth, here on earth, here below

adverbe (sur Terre)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
"Ici-bas" désigne la vie sur terre par opposition à la vie céleste.

there are highs and lows, there are ups and downs

(ça fluctue)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

upside down

locution adverbiale (le haut dirigé vers le bas)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Je ne sais pas comment font les trapézistes pour rester aussi longtemps la tête en bas.

over there

adverbe (plus loin que là)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Là-bas, au-delà des montagnes, vivent des gens heureux.
Happy people live over there, beyond the mountains.

low-level language

nom masculin (langage proche du processeur) (computing)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Un langage de bas niveau se rapproche du langage machine « binaire ».

give birth

locution verbale (femelle : donner naissance)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

knee-high sock, knee-length sock

nom masculin (chaussette haute)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les mi-bas montent jusqu'en dessous du genou.

birth

nom féminin (animal : parturition)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le vétérinaire fut appelé en pleine nuit pour une mise bas difficile.

level down

locution verbale (harmoniser au niveau inférieur)

dumbing down

nom masculin (égalisation par le minimum) (informal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

footnote

nom féminin (précision en bas d'une page)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

speak softly

locution verbale (parler à voix basse)

Ils parlèrent tout bas pour ne pas réveiller les enfants.

low-pass filter

nom masculin (filtre de fréquences)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En musique, un filtre passe-bas laissera entendre les graves.

the Netherlands

nom propre masculin pluriel (État d'Europe)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les Pays-Bas sont connus pour être en grande partie sous le niveau de la mer. // Je suis allé aux Pays-Bas pour les vacances.
The Netherlands are known for being largely below sea level. I went to the Netherlands on vacation.

build up a nest egg

locution verbale (faire des économies)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il se constitue un bas de laine avec ses primes mensuelles.

lower bridge

nom masculin (lutherie : fixation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le sillet inférieur maintient le cordier.

drag down

locution verbale (dégrader, dévaloriser)

Certaines rencontres vous tirent vers le bas et d'autres vers le haut.

drive down

locution verbale (réduire au minimum)

La crise oblige les commerçants à tirer les prix vers le bas.

underscore

nom masculin (Typographie : tiret de soulignement (_)) (Typography)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

stoop low, sink low

locution verbale (figuré, péjoratif (se rabaisser)

very low

locution adverbiale (à voix très basse)

Parle tout bas, ton frère dort.

Take a walk!, Take a hike!

(familier (laisse-moi tranquille !) (informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

fly low

locution verbale (avion : voler à basse altitude) (aircraft)

be petty, be mean-spirited

locution verbale (figuré (être mesquin, peu recherché) (disapproving)

be lewd

locution verbale (figuré (avoir une connotation sexuelle) (disapproving)

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French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.