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How to Say ‘It's an oil painting on canvas.’ in French

C'est une peinture à l'huile sur toile.

suh eh ewn pan-TUR ah l' weel sur twahl

[suh eh ewn pan-TUR ah l' weel sur twahl]

Phrase Breakdown

C'est une peinture

suh eh ewn pan-TUR

It's a painting

Link the words: 'say-tune pan-TUR'.

Example

C'est une peinture célèbre.

It's a famous painting.

Words in this phrase

[suh]

Used to refer to a thing previously mentioned.

Example

C'est incroyable.

It is incredible.

est

[eh]

Third person singular present of be.

Example

C'est important.

It is important.

une

[ewn]

a / an

An indefinite article used before feminine singular nouns.

Example

Une rencontre comme celle-ci peut ouvrir des portes.

A meeting like this can open doors.

peinture

[pan-TUR]

painting

Feminine noun: a painted picture, or paint itself.

Example

La peinture est encore fraîche.

The painting is still fresh.

à l'huile sur toile.

ah l' weel sur twahl

oil on canvas.

Standard art term. 'toile' (canvas) is 'TWAHL'.

Example

Un portrait à l'huile sur toile.

An oil-on-canvas portrait.

Words in this phrase

[ah]

with / made with

Here indicates the medium or ingredient used.

Example

Un dessin à l'encre.

A drawing in ink.

[l']

the

Used before singular when the item is known.

Example

L'homme est là.

The man is there.

huile

[weel]

oil

Feminine noun; 'à l'huile' means oil-based painting.

Example

Il peint à l'huile.

He paints in oil.

sur

[sur]

Indicates position in relation to a surface.

Example

Nous avançons sur ce chemin en ton absence.

We proceed on this path in your absence.

toile

[twahl]

canvas

Feminine noun for the fabric painters paint on.

Example

Elle achète une grande toile.

She buys a large canvas.

Guides for French learners

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