avion
/a.vjɔ̃/masculine
The English word 'airplane' is avion in French. Wiktionary also lists aéroplane.
Meaning: powered aircraft (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| avion | /a.vjɔ̃/ | masculine |
| aéroplane | /a.e.ʁɔ.plan/ | masculine |
The term avion refers to a powered aircraft. Other related terms include Décollage for takeoff and atterrissage for landing. If you want to say you are taking a plane or taking a flight, use the phrase Prendre l'avion.
Which one should you use?
avion is the standard word for an airplane, while aéroplane is a much more formal and somewhat archaic term used primarily in technical or historical contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /a.vjɔ̃/.
Did you know?
- The word aéroplane was coined as early as 1855 by Joseph Pline, decades before the first successful powered flight.
- The transition from using aéroplane to avion as the standard term only became widespread after World War I.
Examples in context
- J'ai vu un avion.I saw an airplane.This sentence is useful for saying you saw an avion.Tatoeba #134743 by Aiji, translation #1399570 by MrShoval
- Regarde ! Un avion !Look! An airplane!This sentence is useful for pointing out an avion.Tatoeba #6860800 by GB3, translation #6746522 by swolesuki
- C'est un vieil avion.It's an old airplane.This sentence is useful for describing an avion as old.Tatoeba #8952761 by Julien_PDC, translation #9015742 by jaydenms
- L'avion a atterri en toute sécurité.The airplane landed safely.
- Les aéronefs doivent se conformer aux règles de circulation aérienne.Aircraft must comply with air traffic regulations.
- Je vais prendre un avion pour Paris demain.I'm taking a plane to Paris tomorrow.
- Nous allons prendre l'avion pour nos vacances.We are going to take a flight for our vacation.
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are looking out the window at the airport.
- LucasRegarde l'avion, Léa !Look at the airplane, Léa!
- LéaIl est vraiment impressionnant.It is truly impressive.
- LucasEst-ce que l'avion est blanc ?Is the airplane white?
- LéaOui, il est tout blanc.Yes, it is completely white.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “airplane” translations and entries avion, aéroplane, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avion, aéroplane, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
