Pupitre (en. Desk)

/py.pitʁ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Furniture with a flat and often slanted surface, used by a student for writing.

The student placed his book on the desk.

L'élève a posé son livre sur le pupitre.

Similar furniture used by musicians to place their scores.

The conductor has his desk in front of him.

Le chef d'orchestre a son pupitre devant lui.

In some contexts, it can refer to a more general work desk.

He set up his desk near the window.

Il a installé son pupitre près de la fenêtre.

French origin, probably derived from the Latin 'pulpitum' which referred to a platform or bench.

to sit at the desk

to take a seat at one's desk or work chair.

s'asseoir au pupitre

to do one's desk work

to work seriously on one's task.

faire son pupitre

teacher's desk

the desk or space where the teacher teaches.

pupitre de professeur

office

Furniture designed for writing or working.

bureau

table

Flat surface supported by legs, used for various purposes.

table

platform

Elevated platform where one stands to speak or perform.

estrade

Desk can be used to refer to a session or meeting where one needs to focus.

I really need to have a desk session this afternoon to make progress on the project.

Il faut vraiment que je fasse un pupitre cet après-midi pour avancer sur le projet.

Can refer to a testing or exam situation.

This exam is going to be a real desk situation; I'm nervous.

Cet examen va être un vrai pupitre, je suis nerveux.