tempérées

Tempérées is the feminine plural form of the French adjective tempéré, meaning tempered or moderated. It is used to describe things that are balanced, restrained, or adjusted to avoid extremes. The term derives from the verb tempérer, which in turn comes from Latin temperare, meaning to regulate, mix in proportion, or moderate.

In usage, tempérées agrees with feminine plural nouns. Examples include zones tempérées (temperate zones), qualités tempérées (moderated qualities), or goûts tempérés (balanced tastes). The sense ranges from everyday language—describing climates, flavors, or attitudes—to more technical contexts such as climate classification, culinary descriptions, or aesthetics.

In climatology and geography, zones tempérées denote regions with moderate temperatures, typically lying between subtropical and boreal zones and characterized by distinct seasonal changes. In art, literature, and criticism, tempérées may describe styles, tones, or emotions that avoid excess, favoring nuance and restraint.

Grammatical notes: tempérées is the feminine plural of tempéré. The masculine form is tempérés, and the neutral sense is conveyed by the adjective as used with masculine nouns. The word should not be confused with the adverb tempérément, which means moderately, or with terms relating to temperature such as température, which pertain to heat or cold rather than moderation.

See also: tempérer, tempérage, température.