Breakdown of La courtoisie est un atout pour la copropriété.
être
to be
un
a / an (masculine)
pour
for
l'atout
the asset (m)
la copropriété
the condominium
la courtoisie
the courtesy
Questions & Answers about La courtoisie est un atout pour la copropriété.
What exactly does un atout mean in this context?
Un atout translates to "an asset" or "an advantage." Originally, it refers to a "trump card" in card games. At the B2 level, you will often see it used in professional or formal contexts to describe a positive quality or strength, such as un atout majeur (a major asset).
What does la copropriété refer to in everyday French?
While it directly translates to "co-ownership" or "condominium," in France, la copropriété refers both to the legal structure of a shared apartment building and collectively to the community of owners (similar to a Homeowners' Association). In this sentence, it implies that being courteous benefits the entire living community.
Why is the definite article La used before courtoisie when English just says "Courtesy"?
This is a great rule to refresh: in French, abstract nouns used in a general or conceptual sense (like courtesy, love, patience, or time) always require a definite article. Since courtoisie is a feminine noun, it must take la.
This lesson focuses on impersonal passives, but this sentence uses the active verb est. How might a building's rulebook express a similar idea using the target grammar?
You are right, this sentence is a straightforward active statement. However, official building regulations (le règlement de copropriété) frequently use impersonal passives! To express a similar idea using an impersonal passive, you might see a formal phrase like Il est rappelé que la courtoisie est exigée (It is reminded that courtesy is required).
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