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The English word "like" translates to comme in French when used as a preposition or conjunction to express similarity or comparison. This versatile word is essential for making comparisons, giving examples, and describing similarities in French.
Definition: Comme (pronounced /kɔm/) is a French word that functions as a preposition meaning "like" or "as," and as a conjunction meaning "as" or "since." It is used to express similarity, comparison, manner, or cause.
FAQ Schema Q: What does "comme" mean in French? A: "Comme" primarily means "like" or "as" in French. It is used to make comparisons (elle chante comme un oiseau - she sings like a bird), to give examples (les fruits comme les pommes - fruits like apples), or to express manner (faites comme moi - do like me/as I do).
In this lesson, we will explore 15 varied examples of "comme" in natural French sentences. The word appears in different positions throughout the sentences to help you understand its flexible usage. You'll learn to recognize and use "comme" in everyday French conversation, from simple comparisons to more complex expressions.
Educational Schema Type: Language Learning Material Subject: French Language Level: Beginner to Intermediate Target Audience: English Speakers Learning French Focus: Preposition/Conjunction "comme" (like) Format: Structured Reading Lesson with Interlinear Translation
Key Takeaways: -
"Comme" is the primary French translation for "like" when making comparisons -
It can appear at various positions in a sentence -
"Comme" can also mean "as" or "since" depending on context -
Unlike English "like," French "comme" is never used as a verb (to like = aimer) -
Essential for natural French expression and conversation
73.1 Elle She chante sings comme like un a rossignol nightingale
73.2 Comme Like son his père father, il he aime loves la the musique music
73.3 Les The enfants children jouent play ensemble together comme like toujours always
73.4 Il He fait makes/does froid cold comme like en in hiver winter
73.5 Marie Marie travaille works comme as professeur teacher à at l' the université university
73.6 Le The ciel sky est is bleu blue comme like la the mer sea
73.7 Comme As je I vous you l' it ai have dit said, c' it est is impossible impossible
73.8 Elle She court runs vite fast comme like le the vent wind
73.9 Des Some fruits fruits comme like les the pommes apples sont are bons good pour for la the santé health
73.10 Il He parle speaks français French comme like un a natif native
73.11 Comme Like chaque each matin morning, elle she boit drinks du some café coffee
73.12 Le The pain bread est is dur hard comme like de of la the pierre stone
73.13 Faites Do comme as moi me et and tout everything ira will go bien well
73.14 Elle She est is belle beautiful comme like une a fleur flower de of printemps spring
73.15 Comme As d' of habitude habit, ils they sont are en in retard delay/late
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73.1 Elle chante comme un rossignol. She sings like a nightingale.
73.2 Comme son père, il aime la musique. Like his father, he loves music.
73.3 Les enfants jouent ensemble comme toujours. The children play together like always.
73.4 Il fait froid comme en hiver. It's cold like in winter.
73.5 Marie travaille comme professeur à l'université. Marie works as a teacher at the university.
73.6 Le ciel est bleu comme la mer. The sky is blue like the sea.
73.7 Comme je vous l'ai dit, c'est impossible. As I told you, it's impossible.
73.8 Elle court vite comme le vent. She runs fast like the wind.
73.9 Des fruits comme les pommes sont bons pour la santé. Fruits like apples are good for health.
73.10 Il parle français comme un natif. He speaks French like a native.
73.11 Comme chaque matin, elle boit du café. Like every morning, she drinks coffee.
73.12 Le pain est dur comme de la pierre. The bread is hard like stone.
73.13 Faites comme moi et tout ira bien. Do as I do and everything will be fine.
73.14 Elle est belle comme une fleur de printemps. She is beautiful like a spring flower.
73.15 Comme d'habitude, ils sont en retard. As usual, they are late.
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73.1 Elle chante comme un rossignol.
73.2 Comme son père, il aime la musique.
73.3 Les enfants jouent ensemble comme toujours.
73.4 Il fait froid comme en hiver.
73.5 Marie travaille comme professeur à l'université.
73.6 Le ciel est bleu comme la mer.
73.7 Comme je vous l'ai dit, c'est impossible.
73.8 Elle court vite comme le vent.
73.9 Des fruits comme les pommes sont bons pour la santé.
73.10 Il parle français comme un natif.
73.11 Comme chaque matin, elle boit du café.
73.12 Le pain est dur comme de la pierre.
73.13 Faites comme moi et tout ira bien.
73.14 Elle est belle comme une fleur de printemps.
73.15 Comme d'habitude, ils sont en retard.
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Grammar Rules for "Comme"
The French word "comme" serves multiple grammatical functions: -
As a Preposition of Comparison (= like, as) -
Used to compare two things or actions -
Structure: [subject] + [verb] + comme + [comparison] -
Example: Elle chante comme un oiseau (She sings like a bird) -
As a Conjunction (= as, since) -
Introduces a clause explaining manner or cause -
Structure: Comme + [clause], [main clause] -
Example: Comme il pleut, je reste chez moi (As it's raining, I stay home) -
In Fixed Expressions -
comme ci, comme ça (so-so) -
comme d'habitude (as usual) -
comme toujours (as always) -
To Express Professional Role (= as) -
Structure: travailler/servir comme + [profession] -
Example: Elle travaille comme médecin (She works as a doctor)
Common Mistakes: -
Using "comme" for the verb "to like" -
WRONG: Je comme le chocolat -
RIGHT: J'aime le chocolat (I like chocolate) -
Remember: "comme" = like (comparison), "aimer" = to like (preference) -
Word Order Confusion -
English: "Like always" / French: "Comme toujours" -
English: "Hard like stone" / French: "Dur comme de la pierre" -
Note the use of "de" in certain comparisons -
Overusing "comme" -
Not every English "like" translates to "comme" -
"It looks like rain" = "On dirait qu'il va pleuvoir" (NOT comme) -
Position in Sentence -
"Comme" can begin a sentence (unlike many English uses of "like") -
When starting a sentence, it often means "as" or "since"
Comparison with English:
English "like" has multiple uses that require different French words: -
Comparison: like = comme (She sings like a bird = Elle chante comme un oiseau) -
Preference: to like = aimer (I like coffee = J'aime le café) -
Similarity: to be like = ressembler à (She's like her mother = Elle ressemble à sa mère) -
Approximation: like = environ (It costs like 20 euros = Ça coûte environ 20 euros)
Step-by-Step Guide to Using "Comme":
Step 1: Identify the type of "like" in your English sentence Step 2: If it's a comparison, use "comme" Step 3: Place "comme" directly before the thing being compared to Step 4: Check if you need additional prepositions (comme de la pierre) Step 5: For sentence-initial position, ensure it means "as/since"
Grammatical Summary: "Comme" is invariable (doesn't change form) Position: flexible, but usually precedes the comparison Can introduce clauses or single words No agreement needed with gender or number Common in both spoken and written French
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Understanding "comme" is essential for navigating French culture, where comparisons and similes are deeply embedded in everyday speech. French speakers frequently use colorful comparisons that may seem poetic to English speakers.
Cultural Expressions with "Comme":
French culture values eloquent expression, and "comme" appears in numerous idiomatic phrases: -
"Fort comme un bœuf" (strong like an ox) -
"Malin comme un singe" (clever like a monkey) -
"Heureux comme un poisson dans l'eau" (happy like a fish in water)
These expressions reflect French appreciation for vivid imagery in daily conversation. While English might say someone is "very strong," French prefers the more colorful "strong like an ox."
Social Usage:
In French social interactions, "comme" helps soften statements and make polite suggestions: -
"Comme vous voulez" (as you wish) - showing deference -
"C'est comme vous le sentez" (it's as you feel it) - giving choice
Professional Context:
When discussing professions, "comme" is the standard way to indicate someone's role: -
"Elle travaille comme avocate" (She works as a lawyer) This differs from English, where we might say "She's a lawyer" without "as."
Regional Variations:
While "comme" is standard across the Francophone world, some regions have unique comparative expressions. In Quebec, you might hear "comme du monde" (like people) meaning "properly," while in France this expression is less common.
Understanding these cultural nuances helps English speakers use "comme" more naturally and appreciate the French way of making comparisons in conversation.
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From "Le Petit Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943):
"Les grandes personnes aiment les chiffres. Quand vous leur parlez d'un nouvel ami, elles ne vous questionnent jamais sur l'essentiel. Elles ne vous disent jamais: 'Quel est le son de sa voix? Quels sont les jeux qu'il préfère? Est-ce qu'il collectionne les papillons?' Elles vous demandent: 'Quel âge a-t-il? Combien pèse-t-il? Combien gagne son père?' Alors seulement elles croient le connaître."
Les The grandes grown personnes people aiment love les the chiffres numbers. Quand When vous you leur to them parlez speak d' of un a nouvel new ami friend, elles they ne not vous you questionnent question jamais never sur about l' the essentiel essential. Elles They ne not vous you disent say jamais never: 'Quel What est is le the son sound de of sa his voix voice? Quels What sont are les the jeux games qu' that il he préfère prefers?'
"Grown-ups love figures. When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you: 'What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?' Instead, they demand: 'How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make?' Only then do they think they know him."
This passage from "Le Petit Prince" brilliantly uses implied comparison (though not using "comme" directly) to contrast the worldview of adults with that of children. Saint-Exupéry critiques how adults focus on quantifiable facts rather than qualities that truly define a person.
While this passage doesn't contain "comme," it demonstrates the French way of making comparisons through contrast. The structure shows: -
Repetition of "jamais" (never) for emphasis -
Use of questions to show what adults don't ask versus what they do ask -
The subjunctive mood in "qu'il préfère" (that he prefers) -
French preference for philosophical comparison over direct simile
This literary example shows how French literature often explores comparison and contrast conceptually, preparing readers to understand the deeper cultural use of comparative structures like "comme" in French thought and expression.
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73.16 Comme As convenu agreed lors during de of notre our réunion meeting, je I vous you envoie send le the rapport report détaillé detailed
73.17 Nous We cherchons seek un a candidat candidate comme like vous you pour for ce this poste position important important
73.18 Votre Your entreprise company fonctionne functions comme as un a modèle model pour for notre our secteur sector
73.19 Comme As vous you le it savez know, les the délais deadlines sont are très very serrés tight ce this trimestre quarter
73.20 Le The marché market évolue evolves rapidement rapidly comme like nous we l' it avions had prévu foreseen
73.21 Elle She agit acts comme as consultante consultant pour for plusieurs several grandes large sociétés companies
73.22 Comme Like nos our concurrents competitors, nous we devons must innover innovate constamment constantly
73.23 Ce This produit product se itself vend sells comme like des some petits little pains breads sur on le the marché market asiatique Asian
73.24 Traitez Treat ce this client client comme as vous you aimeriez would like être to be traité treated
73.25 Comme As indiqué indicated dans in mon my email email précédent previous, la the livraison delivery est is prévue planned lundi Monday
73.26 Votre Your proposition proposal arrive arrives comme like une a bouffée breath d' of air air frais fresh
73.27 Il He négocie negotiates comme like un a vrai real professionnel professional du of the commerce trade
73.28 Comme As prévu planned au in the contrat contract, les the paiements payments sont are mensuels monthly
73.29 Cette This stratégie strategy fonctionne works comme like un a charme charm depuis since six six mois months
73.30 Nous We vous you remercions thank de for agir acting comme as intermédiaire intermediary dans in cette this négociation negotiation
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73.16 Comme convenu lors de notre réunion, je vous envoie le rapport détaillé. As agreed during our meeting, I am sending you the detailed report.
73.17 Nous cherchons un candidat comme vous pour ce poste important. We are looking for a candidate like you for this important position.
73.18 Votre entreprise fonctionne comme un modèle pour notre secteur. Your company functions as a model for our sector.
73.19 Comme vous le savez, les délais sont très serrés ce trimestre. As you know, the deadlines are very tight this quarter.
73.20 Le marché évolue rapidement comme nous l'avions prévu. The market is evolving rapidly as we had foreseen.
73.21 Elle agit comme consultante pour plusieurs grandes sociétés. She acts as a consultant for several large companies.
73.22 Comme nos concurrents, nous devons innover constamment. Like our competitors, we must innovate constantly.
73.23 Ce produit se vend comme des petits pains sur le marché asiatique. This product sells like hotcakes in the Asian market.
73.24 Traitez ce client comme vous aimeriez être traité. Treat this client as you would like to be treated.
73.25 Comme indiqué dans mon email précédent, la livraison est prévue lundi. As indicated in my previous email, delivery is scheduled for Monday.
73.26 Votre proposition arrive comme une bouffée d'air frais. Your proposal comes like a breath of fresh air.
73.27 Il négocie comme un vrai professionnel du commerce. He negotiates like a real trade professional.
73.28 Comme prévu au contrat, les paiements sont mensuels. As stipulated in the contract, payments are monthly.
73.29 Cette stratégie fonctionne comme un charme depuis six mois. This strategy has been working like a charm for six months.
73.30 Nous vous remercions de agir comme intermédiaire dans cette négociation. We thank you for acting as an intermediary in this negotiation.
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73.16 Comme convenu lors de notre réunion, je vous envoie le rapport détaillé.
73.17 Nous cherchons un candidat comme vous pour ce poste important.
73.18 Votre entreprise fonctionne comme un modèle pour notre secteur.
73.19 Comme vous le savez, les délais sont très serrés ce trimestre.
73.20 Le marché évolue rapidement comme nous l'avions prévu.
73.21 Elle agit comme consultante pour plusieurs grandes sociétés.
73.22 Comme nos concurrents, nous devons innover constamment.
73.23 Ce produit se vend comme des petits pains sur le marché asiatique.
73.24 Traitez ce client comme vous aimeriez être traité.
73.25 Comme indiqué dans mon email précédent, la livraison est prévue lundi.
73.26 Votre proposition arrive comme une bouffée d'air frais.
73.27 Il négocie comme un vrai professionnel du commerce.
73.28 Comme prévu au contrat, les paiements sont mensuels.
73.29 Cette stratégie fonctionne comme un charme depuis six mois.
73.30 Nous vous remercions de agir comme intermédiaire dans cette négociation.
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Professional Uses of "Comme" in Business French
In business correspondence, "comme" serves several specific functions: -
Reference to Prior Communication -
"Comme convenu" (as agreed) -
"Comme discuté" (as discussed) -
"Comme mentionné" (as mentioned) These phrases typically begin sentences and reference previous exchanges. -
Professional Roles and Functions -
"Agir comme" (to act as) -
"Servir comme" (to serve as) -
"Travailler comme" (to work as) Structure: [verb] + comme + [role/function] -
Business Comparisons -
Comparing companies: "comme nos concurrents" (like our competitors) -
Comparing performance: "fonctionne comme prévu" (works as expected) -
Market comparisons: "se vend comme des petits pains" (sells like hotcakes) -
Formal Agreement Language -
"Comme stipulé dans..." (as stipulated in...) -
"Comme prévu au contrat" (as provided in the contract) -
"Comme indiqué" (as indicated)
Business Idioms with "Comme" -
"Comme des petits pains" - like hotcakes (selling quickly) -
"Comme un charme" - like a charm (working perfectly) -
"Comme une bouffée d'air frais" - like a breath of fresh air (refreshing change)
Formal vs. Informal Usage Business French tends to use "comme" in more formal constructions: -
Formal: "Comme vous le savez" (As you know) -
Less formal: "Vous savez que" (You know that)
Email and Letter Conventions Starting sentences with "Comme" is common in business emails: -
Opening references: "Comme suite à notre conversation" (Following our conversation) -
Clarifications: "Comme expliqué précédemment" (As previously explained) -
Confirmations: "Comme convenu" (As agreed)
Common Business Mistakes to Avoid -
Don't translate "like" in "I would like" as "comme" -
WRONG: Je comme voudrais -
RIGHT: Je voudrais / J'aimerais -
Be careful with tense in "comme" clauses -
"Comme nous l'avions prévu" (as we had foreseen) - past perfect for past prediction -
"Comme nous le prévoyons" (as we foresee) - present for current prediction
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning series developed by the Latinum Institute, curated by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been creating online language learning materials since 2006.
The Method
These lessons follow the construed text method, extensively documented at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk. This approach breaks down target language texts into their smallest meaningful units, providing word-by-word glosses that allow learners to understand grammatical relationships and build vocabulary systematically.
Why This Method Works for Autodidacts -
Complete Transparency: Every word is glossed, leaving no ambiguity about meaning or function -
Progressive Difficulty: Starting with interlinear text (Section A), moving to parallel texts (Section B), then to target language only (Section C) -
Comprehensive Grammar: Section D provides detailed explanations comparing source and target language structures -
Cultural Context: Section E ensures learners understand not just language but usage -
Authentic Materials: Section F uses real literary texts to demonstrate natural language use
Course Features -
No prerequisites required - suitable for absolute beginners -
Self-contained lessons - each lesson is complete and can be studied independently -
Multiple learning approaches - visual, analytical, and contextual learning combined -
Practical focus - examples use common, useful vocabulary and structures
Additional Resources
For audio materials and extensive ancient language resources, visit: -
Main website: latinum.org.uk -
Newsletter and articles: latinum.substack.com -
Audio materials for subscribers: patreon.com/latinum
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About the Curator
Evan der Millner has specialized in making classical and modern languages accessible to self-directed learners through innovative online methods. His work spans Latin, Ancient Greek, and modern languages, always emphasizing clarity, completeness, and practical application.
These lessons represent years of refinement in language teaching methodology, designed specifically for motivated independent learners who want to master languages efficiently and thoroughly.
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