In French, the word "priceless" can be translated as "inestimable" or "inestimable." Both of these words convey the idea that something is beyond value or cannot be measured in monetary terms.
Explanation of Forms
The word "inestimable" comes from the Latin word "inestimabilis," which means "not to be estimated" or "immeasurable." It is a masculine adjective in French, and it can be used to describe both masculine and feminine nouns. The adjective "inestimable" is derived from the verb "estimer," which means "to estimate" or "to value."
Examples of Usage
Here are some example sentences using "inestimable" in French:
- Le temps passé avec sa famille est inestimable pour lui.
- La beauté de la nature est inestimable.
- La santé mentale est inestimable pour notre bien-être.
Notes on Usage
When using "inestimable" in French, it is important to remember that it is a masculine adjective. Therefore, when describing a feminine noun, you should use the feminine form "inestimable" instead. For example:
La beauté de la nature est inestimable.
However, if the noun is feminine, you should use the feminine form "inestimable":
La beauté de la nature est inestimable.
Word Origin
The word "inestimable" comes from the Latin word "inestimabilis," which means "not to be estimated" or "immeasurable." It is a combination of the prefix "in-" and the root word "estimabilis." The prefix "in-" is used to create a negative or opposite meaning, while the root word "estimabilis" means "capable of being estimated" or "measurable."
Additional Variations
Another way to express the idea of "priceless" in French is by using the adjective "precieux" or "précieuse." These words are used to describe something that is valuable or precious. However, they are not exactly synonymous with "priceless" as they imply a higher value or rarity.
Examples:
- Le collier était précieux.
- La peinture était précieuse.