What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
livre
Example
J'ai acheté un livre intéressant à la librairie. [livre: noun]
Example
Elle a écrit un livre sur l'histoire de la France. [livre: noun]
book
Example
I love reading books in my free time. [book: noun]
Example
He wrote a book on the history of science. [book: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Book is much more commonly used than livre in everyday language, as English is a more widely spoken language than French. Book is a universal term that can be used in various contexts and languages, while livre is primarily used in French-speaking contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between livre and book?
While livre may have a more formal or academic connotation due to its association with French literature, book is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.