accident
/ak.si.dɑ̃/masculine
The French word for "accident" is accident.
accident is a noun used to describe an unexpected event with negative consequences. For example, to specify a car accident, you use the construction accident de voiture instead of using an adjective. You can also use related expressions such as Avoir un accident vasculaire cérébral to mean "to have a stroke," or Être accidenté(e) to mean "to be injured."
Meaning: unexpected event with negative consequences (noun)
Which one should you use?
While accident is the general term, you might use accrochage for a minor collision or fender-bender and sinistre in formal contexts such as legal or insurance discussions.
How does it change in a sentence?
accident is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ak.si.dɑ̃/. It has 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When saying un accident, English speakers often forget to use a liaison. The n of un should be pronounced as if it were part of the following word.
Did you know?
- In French, accident is often used as a euphemism for a bathroom mishap, particularly when referring to children or the elderly.
- The verb form accidenter is used reflexively, s'accidenter, to describe the act of having an accident.
- The word accident is a direct descendant of the Latin accidentem, which originally referred to something that 'falls upon' or 'happens' unexpectedly.
Examples in context
- Il eut un accident.He had an accident.This sentence shows the use of accident to describe someone having an accident.Tatoeba #947912 by U2FS, translation #947875 by Swift
- J’ai eu un accident.I was in an accident.This sentence demonstrates the use of accident to say one was in an accident.Tatoeba #10496835 by pkill, translation #5389694 by mailohilohi
- As-tu vu l'accident ?Did you see the accident?This sentence is useful for asking if someone saw the accident.Tatoeba #3345177 by sacredceltic, translation #3343284 by CK
- Un grave accident s'est produit sur l'autoroute ce matin.A serious accident occurred on the highway this morning.
- Le sinistre survenu dans l'usine a provoqué d'importants dégâts matériels.The accident that occurred in the factory caused significant material damage.
- J'ai eu un petit accrochage en sortant du parking ce matin.I had a little accident while leaving the parking lot this morning.
- Les accidents de la route sont fréquents en hiver.Road accidents are frequent in winter.
- Un carambolage a causé d'importants embouteillages sur l'autoroute.A multiple-vehicle collision caused significant traffic jams on the highway.
- 646 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are discussing a news report in a cafe.
- HugoTu as entendu parler de l'accident ?Did you hear about the accident?
- EmmaOui, c'est un accident terrible.Yes, it is a terrible accident.
- HugoEst-ce que la voiture est détruite ?Is the car destroyed?
- EmmaL'accident a été très violent.The accident was very violent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “accident” translations and entries accident, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries accident, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
