What does the word la marseillaise mean?

"La Marseillaise" literally translates to "The Marseillaise" in English. It's the name of the French national anthem.

Here's why it's called that:

* Origin: The song was originally called "Chant de guerre pour l'armée du Rhin" (War song for the Army of the Rhine).

* Popularization: It gained its name after being sung by volunteers from Marseille who marched to Paris in 1792 during the French Revolution.

* Official Anthem: It became the official anthem of France in 1795.

So, while "La Marseillaise" is a literal translation of the name, it actually refers to a specific historical event and a song deeply tied to French national identity.