Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| réveil | /ʁe.vɛj/ | masculine |
| réveille-matin | /ʁe.vɛj.ma.tɛ̃/ | masculine |
| cadran | /ka.dʁɑ̃/ | Canada, masculine |
The term refers to a type of clock. While réveil refers to the physical device, it is also commonly used to refer to the alarm sound itself or the act of being woken up by the device. When you want to say that an alarm clock has gone off, you should use the verb sonner.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun réveil is derived from the verb réveiller (to wake up) and literally means 'an awakening'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions of Canada, the variation réveille-matin is used to mean 'alarm clock'.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms, réveil, réveille-matin and cadran, are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
réveil is pronounced /ʁe.vɛj/. It has 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the word alarme to refer to the physical device. In French, alarme typically refers to a security alarm or a general warning signal.
Did you know?
- If you tell a French person you have an alarme in your house, they might call the police, as the word usually refers to a security system or a warning signal rather than a clock.
- While you might use cadran to talk about the face of your clock, its etymology reveals it originally meant a 'quarter' or 'fourth part'.
- In some parts of the French-speaking world, cadran is used for an alarm clock, even though the word technically refers to the face of the clock.
Examples in context
- Tu n'as pas entendu le réveil ?Didn't you hear the alarm clock?This sentence is useful for asking if someone heard the réveil.Tatoeba #12007798 by lbdx, translation #8910386 by sundown
- As-tu un réveil dans ta chambre ?Do you have an alarm clock in your room?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a réveil in their room.Tatoeba #4022106 by mouche, translation #3956159 by CK
- Mon réveil n'a pas sonné ce matin.My alarm clock didn't go off this morning.This sentence is useful for stating that a réveil did not go off.Tatoeba #6380880 by Aiji, translation #251993 by CK
- Mon réveil ne fonctionne plus. Je vais devoir acheter un petit réveil.My alarm clock isn't working anymore. I'll have to buy a little alarm clock.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a bedroom in the morning.
- ManonGabriel, tu as entendu ton réveil ?Gabriel, did you hear your alarm clock?
- GabrielNon, je ne l'ai pas entendu.No, I didn't hear it.
- ManonC'est dommage, tu es en retard.That's a pity, you are late.
- GabrielJe vais vite me préparer.I am going to get ready quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alarm clock” translations and entries réveil, réveille-matin, cadran, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cadran, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
