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- Topic: French >
- "Leur chapeau est chaud."
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Yes, good question: in French, we use a singular object with a plural subject when it means "one each", whereas the English use a plural to mean the same thing.
Nonetheless, in French, there can be an ambiguity as to whether there might be only one hat for several people. I would say that it is not very likely when it comes to hats, but with a car, for example, that could be relevant.
What is the trick to tell the difference between "la" and "leur"? My novice french ears is unable to tell them apart in a sentence, but individually I am able to do so i.e. "Leur" is more like "ler" and "la" is well like "la" obviously.
As you said 'leur' sounds like 'ler' or the 'oeur' in 'soeur' and 'la' sounds like 'la'
How do you know when it's supposed to be cap and when it's supposed to be hat? I thought they were interchangeable, but sometimes when I say "hat" it tells me it's wrong and translates it as "cap."
Same here. I'm not sure why hot is not a valid translation of "chaud" all of the sudden. I've reported it.
Me too and it seems a little fickle to suggest it is wrong simply because the function of a hat is too keep you warm. What if you are wearing a that hat in hot weather - both the wearer and the hat itself would or could get hot.
So that there is no ambiguity here, by no means can something like a hat that is described as "chaud" mean that it is fashionable such as "hot" could.
Manx isn't referring to the usage of "hot" as a fashion term. What he, I, and I assume Mercedes are saying is that "hot" as defined as "having a high degree of heat or a high temperature" should be a valid translation here of "chaud".
"leur" is the possessive introducing a singular possession.
"leurs" is the possessive introducing a plural possession.
And the verb is different: leur chapeau est vs leurs chapeaux sont
It is a military cap. You may see some if you search on Google Images.
It took me a little bit to understand this sentence. Without context, I immediately think that the hat was heated with an oven or a dryer or something. That it's warm to the touch. I don't read it as being "cozy." I'd say that the hat makes me/my head warm not that it is warm. Or I'd simply say it's cozy. To say that it is warm means it's been heated somehow.
Also, why is it wrong to translate chaud as hot? Duolingo says that chaud can mean either hot or warm. And if you're thinking it did, indeed, come fresh out of the dryer then (depending on the fabric), it can certainly be unpleasantly hot. So, what makes translating this as hot incorrect? Without context, it's a possible answer.
I understand that maybe I over-thought this sentence. However, it's a bizarre sentence that had me scratching me head for a few minutes.
On the vocal it is sometimes difficult to hear what is being said, whether something is singular or plural. `it sounded like les chapeau and not LEUR
How can I tell from hearing that it's "Leur chapeau est chaud" or "Le chapeau est chaud"? The difference of the "r" sound is pretty small for me.
Can this translate to "Their hats are warm" too? Or how do we translate this English sentence to French?
We currently accept both the singular and plural versions, although in dictation, you have to write what you hear exactly, and then you have no other choice than the singular version.
From the English sentence, "their hats are warm", both translations are accepted as well.
