French translation of ballad is 
ballade

Meaning of "ballad" in English

A "ballad" is a type of narrative poem or song, typically passed down orally, that tells a story in simple and rhythmic language. It often features repeated refrains and is characterized by its emotional and dramatic elements. Traditionally, ballads convey tales of love, adventure, or historical events and are structured in quatrains with a consistent rhythm. In modern contexts, ballads can also refer to sentimental songs that focus on themes of romance or nostalgia, highlighting their versatility and enduring popularity in storytelling and music.

Meaning of "ballade" in French

In French, a "ballade" refers to a poetic and musical form that emerged during the medieval period, characterized by a fixed structure. It usually consists of three stanzas followed by a shorter concluding stanza called an "envoi." The "ballade" often explores themes of love, morality, or philosophical musings and is recognized for its rhythmic and lyrical elegance. In the classical music realm, "ballade" also denotes a type of instrumental composition, primarily for the piano, embodying a narrative or expressive style, as seen in works by composers like Chopin.

Pronunciation of "ballad" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈbæl.əd/

The pronunciation of "ballad" is consistent across most English-speaking regions, with slight variations in accent that may affect vowel sound dynamics. In the UK, the pronunciation might have a slightly clipped tone, whereas in the US, it may be more drawn out. However, the word retains its basic phonetic structure and emphasis on the first syllable in all variations.

Pronunciation of "ballade" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /ba.lad/

In French pronunciation, "ballade" maintains a smooth and flowing sound, with emphasis on the second syllable. Regional accents in France might subtly affect the intonation, but the pronunciation remains largely unchanged. The clear articulation of each syllable is typical in the French language, contributing to its melodic quality.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. The singer performed a beautiful ballad that moved everyone in the audience. (Le chanteur a interprété une belle ballade qui a émue tout le public.)
2. She wrote a heartfelt ballad about her hometown. (Elle a écrit une ballade émotive sur sa ville natale.)
3. The ballad of Robin Hood is famous for its storytelling. (La ballade de Robin des Bois est célèbre pour son récit.)
4. Many rock bands include a slow ballad in their albums. (Beaucoup de groupes de rock incluent une ballade lente dans leurs albums.)
5. The medieval ballad has a rich tradition in folk music. (La ballade médiévale a une riche tradition dans la musique folklorique.)
6. He composed a ballad that tells the story of lost love. (Il a composé une ballade qui raconte l'histoire d'un amour perdu.)
7. The ballad's lyrics were both haunting and beautiful. (Les paroles de la ballade étaient à la fois envoûtantes et magnifiques.)
8. Ballads often explore themes of emotion and adventure. (Les ballades explorent souvent des thèmes d'émotion et d'aventure.)
9. The book includes several traditional ballads. (Le livre inclut plusieurs ballades traditionnelles.)
10. Her new album features a powerful ballad as the closing track. (Son nouvel album présente une ballade puissante comme piste finale.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "ballad" in English

Synonyms: song, poem, ditty, lay, ode, chant, carol, anthem, lyric, narrative.

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: hymn, elegy, narrative, tale, lyric, stanza, verse, sonnet, melody, composition.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "ballade" in French

Synonyms: chanson, poème, ode, cantate, chant, rime, couplet, morceau, composition, récital.

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: sonate, récit, poème, air, mélodie, romance, ballade instrumentale, cantique, homélie, cantique.

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