cotes-du-nord: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Geographical
Quick answer
What does “cotes-du-nord” mean?
A department in northwestern France, on the coast of Brittany.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A department in northwestern France, on the coast of Brittany.
A geographical and administrative region, known for its coastline, maritime heritage, and cultural identity within Brittany. Historically, it was known as the department 'Côtes-du-Nord' until its name was changed in 1990.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage between UK and US English. Both use the French name.
Connotations
Connotes a specific region of France, associated with tourism, Celtic culture, and coastline.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in specialized contexts like travel writing, history, or European geography.
Grammar
How to Use “cotes-du-nord” in a Sentence
[Place] is located in Côtes-d'Armor.We travelled through Côtes-d'Armor.The capital of Côtes-d'Armor is Saint-Brieuc.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cotes-du-nord” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Côtes-d'Armor coastline is rugged.
- A Côtes-d'Armor speciality is seafood.
American English
- The Côtes-d'Armor region is scenic.
- We studied Côtes-d'Armor history.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism or regional development (e.g., 'investing in Côtes-d'Armor').
Academic
Used in geographical, historical, or cultural studies focusing on France or Brittany.
Everyday
Very rare in everyday English conversation outside specific contexts.
Technical
Used in cartography, European administration, and historical texts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cotes-du-nord”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cotes-du-nord”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cotes-du-nord”
- Misspelling: 'Cote d'Armor' (missing the 's' and hyphen).
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the English word 'armor'.
- Using the outdated name 'Côtes-du-Nord' in contemporary contexts without clarification.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It means 'Coasts of Armor', with 'Armor' being the Breton name for the coastal region of Brittany (from 'Ar Mor', meaning 'the sea').
Yes, but 'Côtes-du-Nord' is the historical name used from 1790 until 1990. The department was renamed 'Côtes-d'Armor' to better reflect its Breton identity.
Use 'Côtes-d'Armor' for all contemporary references. Use 'Côtes-du-Nord' only when referring specifically to the department in a historical context prior to 1990.
In English, it is commonly approximated as 'coht dah-mor'. The 's' in 'Côtes' is silent, and the 't' is softly pronounced. The final 'r' in 'Armor' is more pronounced in American English.
A department in northwestern France, on the coast of Brittany.
Cotes-du-nord is usually formal / geographical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COAST-of-Armor' – it's the department with the armoured (Armor) coast (Côtes) in Brittany.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE IS A NAME (The identity of the region is encapsulated in its official name.)
Practice
Quiz
In which country is Côtes-d'Armor located?