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ferme

/fɛʁm/ferme / fermer
1.
nounfeminine

farm

farmhouse

On va acheter des œufs directement à la ferme.

We're going to buy eggs directly from the farm.

Synonyms:exploitation agricole
2.
adjective

firm (not soft)

steady, resolute (of a person or position)

Le matelas est un peu trop ferme pour moi.

The mattress is a bit too firm for me.

Synonyms:dur, solide, rigide, résolu, détérminé
3.
verbInd, Imp1stPresSing1,2,3

to close

to shut

Je ferme la porte avant de partir.

I close the door before leaving.

Synonyms:clore, refermer

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Ferme is versatile. As a feminine noun (la ferme), it means "the farm". As an adjective, it means "firm" or "strong" (e.g., une décision ferme). It's also a verb form (from "fermer" - to close) meaning "I/he/she closes" or "Close!" (imperative).

USAGE

Noun: "Nous allons à la ferme." (We are going to the farm.)

Adjective: "Il a un ton très ferme." (He has a very firm tone.)

Verb: "Ferme la porte s'il te plaît." (Close the door please.)

TRAPS

The main trap is distinguishing its multiple grammatical functions. Pay close attention to the article (la ferme), agreement (une décision ferme), or pronoun preceding it (je ferme, il ferme). Context is crucial!