1. "Sou" as a noun:
* An old French coin: This is the most common meaning. A sou was a small copper coin worth one-twentieth of a French franc. It was used from the 13th century until the late 19th century.
* A small amount of money: It can be used figuratively to mean a small amount of money, even in modern French. For example, "Je n'ai pas un sou" means "I don't have a penny."
2. "Sou" as a verb:
* To solder: This meaning is less common, but it refers to the act of joining metals with solder.
3. "Sou" as part of a phrase:
* "Sans sou": This means "without a penny."
4. "Sou" as a surname:
* There is a surname "Sou" in French, but it doesn't have a specific meaning associated with it.
In summary:
The meaning of "sou" in French depends heavily on the context. It is most commonly used to refer to an old French coin, but it can also be used figuratively to mean a small amount of money or as a verb meaning "to solder."