French Phrase
La maison est sombre.
Meaning
The sentence means 'The house is dark.' It describes the lighting condition of a house, implying that little or no light is coming in, often creating a gloomy atmosphere.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to comment on the lighting inside a house, a room, or any building that feels dim. It can be used in everyday conversation, in a description for a real‑estate listing, or when setting a mood in storytelling.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lamaisonestsombre
Definite article (La)
La is the feminine singular definite article used before a noun that starts with a consonant sound.
Noun gender (maison)
Maison is a feminine noun meaning 'house' or 'home'.
Verb être (est)
Est is the third‑person singular present of être, used to describe a state or characteristic.
Adjective agreement (sombre)
Sombre is an invariable adjective in this context; it agrees in gender and number with the noun it describes.
🗨In Conversation
La maison est sombre, on ne voit rien.
The house is dark, we can’t see anything.
Allume les lumières, s'il te plaît.
Turn on the lights, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Le maison est sombre.
Maison is feminine, so the article must be "la" not "le".
La maison sont sombre.
The verb must agree with a singular subject: use "est" not "sont".
La maison est sombres.
Adjectives do not take an extra "s" when describing a singular noun.
↔Alternatives
La maison est peu éclairée.
The house is poorly lit.
Il fait sombre dans la maison.
It is dark inside the house.
La maison manque de lumière.
The house lacks light.
Cultural Tip
In French, describing a space as "sombre" can also carry a figurative meaning, suggesting a melancholic or mysterious mood. When speaking about interiors, French speakers often prefer "peu éclairée" for a neutral description, while "sombre" adds an emotional nuance. Be mindful of the register: "sombre" is perfectly fine in casual conversation but may feel a bit literary in formal contexts.