In French, the word "de" translates to "of" or "from" in English. It is a preposition commonly used to indicate possession, origin, or a part of something. For example, in the phrase "le livre de Marie" (the book of Marie), "de" shows that the book belongs to Marie. Additionally, "de" is often used in expressions to denote relationships or characteristics. For instance, "un homme de talent" means "a man of talent." This preposition is essential in constructing sentences and conveying meaning in the French language.