Alaska
/a.las.ka/masculine
Alaska is the French word for the US state Alaska.
Alaska is used to refer to the name of the US state.
Meaning: US state (name)
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing being in or going to Alaska, the preposition en is used because Alaska is treated as a feminine geographic entity, as seen in the phrase en Alaska.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /a.las.ka/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word Alaska was borrowed into French from English, which had previously taken it from the Aleut word alaxsxaq.
- In French, Alaska is often grouped with other 'frozen' territories under the concept of le Grand Nord, which carries a romanticized literary connotation of exploration.
- Although the spelling is the same as in English, French speakers maintain a distinct /a/ sound for every syllable in Alaska, avoiding the vowel reductions common in English.
Examples in context
- Tu restais en Alaska.You were staying in Alaska.This sentence shows the use of the preposition en with Alaska.Tatoeba #6205161 by LINGUISTE, translation #11008266 by tjwhale
- Là, nous prîmes un bateau pour l'Alaska.Here we took the boat to Alaska.This sentence shows how to use the preposition for going to Alaska.Tatoeba #3432454 by sacredceltic, translation #2057169 by kerbear407
- Il ne fait pas aussi froid ici qu'en Alaska.It isn't as cold here as in Alaska.This sentence shows how to compare temperatures in Alaska.Tatoeba #11221 by Lulantis, translation #61672 by CK
- Je suis originaire de l'Alaska , le plus grand État des États-Unis.I am from Alaska, the largest state in the United States.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Lea are discussing travel plans.
- NathanJe veux visiter l'Alaska cet été.I want to visit Alaska this summer.
- LéaC'est une excellente idée, Nathan !That's an excellent idea, Nathan!
- NathanEst-ce que tu connais l'Alaska ?Do you know Alaska?
- LéaNon, mais j'aimerais beaucoup y aller.No, but I would love to go there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alaska” translations and entries Alaska, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Alaska, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
