marseillaise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “marseillaise” mean?
The national anthem of France, composed during the French Revolution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The national anthem of France, composed during the French Revolution.
A symbol of French patriotism and revolutionary spirit; occasionally refers to things from Marseille, such as in culinary terms like 'sauce marseillaise'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties use the term similarly.
Connotations
Evokes French history, revolution, and patriotism in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, primarily encountered in contexts related to France, history, or music.
Grammar
How to Use “marseillaise” in a Sentence
the Marseillaisesing the Marseillaisethe Marseillaise is playedVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; might appear in contexts related to French companies or events.
Academic
Used in historical, political, or musical studies discussing France or national anthems.
Everyday
Occasionally used when talking about France, its culture, or during international events like sports matches.
Technical
In musicology, refers to the composition's structure and historical significance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marseillaise”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marseillaise”
- Misspelling as 'Marseillaize' or 'Marseillase'.
- Using lowercase 'm' when it should be capitalized.
- Confusing it with other national anthems.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Marseillaise is the national anthem of France, originally composed during the French Revolution.
It was composed in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle.
No, while it is named after Marseille, it represents all of France and is the national anthem.
It is played at official state ceremonies, international sports events, and other occasions where French national identity is celebrated.
The national anthem of France, composed during the French Revolution.
Marseillaise is usually formal in register.
Marseillaise: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑː.seɪˈjeɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːr.səlˈeɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Marseille' + 'ease' – the anthem from Marseille that brings ease to patriotic hearts.
Conceptual Metaphor
The Marseillaise as a beacon of freedom and revolution.
Practice
Quiz
What is the Marseillaise?