alcool
/al.kɔl/masculine
The English phrase "alcohol" is translated into French as alcool. Wiktionary also lists boisson alcoolisée and boisson alcoolique.
Meaning: intoxicating beverage (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| alcool | /al.kɔl/ | masculine |
| boisson alcoolisée | feminine | |
| boisson alcoolique | feminine |
The word refers to an intoxicating beverage. While alcool is the most common and straightforward term for alcohol in French, you may also use boisson alcoolisée or boisson alcoolique.
Which one should you use?
While alcool refers to the substance itself, boisson alcoolisée is the standard term for an alcoholic drink or beverage.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more informal or slang contexts, you might encounter la picole, which is a colloquial expression used to refer to alcohol, especially when consumed in excess or le pinard, which is a slang term that specifically refers to wine.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the consumption of an unspecified amount of alcohol, use the partitive article de l'alcool.
How do you pronounce it?
/al.kɔl/
Did you know?
- The word alcool actually traces its roots back to the Arabic word for 'kohl', a type of powder used as eyeliner.
- While alcool is the general term, French has a specific word apéritif for a drink taken before a meal to stimulate the appetite. This cultural ritual is so central that it is often shortened to l'apéro.
- While le pinard is slang for wine, it specifically evokes the image of cheap, rough wine often associated with soldiers in historical French conflicts.
Examples in context
- Je bois de l'alcool.I drink alcohol.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of the partitive article with alcool.Tatoeba #1097848 by nimfeo, translation #1388949 by marcelostockle
- Bois-tu de l'alcool ?Do you drink alcohol?This sentence is useful for asking a question about the consumption of alcool.Tatoeba #1115698 by sacredceltic, translation #64387 by CM
- Il boit trop d'alcool.He drinks too much alcohol.This sentence is useful for expressing an excessive amount of alcool.Tatoeba #132557 by dominiko, translation #1158609 by CM
- Je bois de l'alcoolI drink alcohol
- On boit de l'alcool ce soir?Are we drinking alcohol tonight?
- 125 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are at a dinner party.
- HugoEst-ce qu'il y a de l'alcool ?Is there any alcohol?
- ChloéOui, il y a du vin et de l'alcool fort.Yes, there is wine and strong alcohol.
- HugoJe préfère éviter l'alcool ce soir.I prefer to avoid alcohol tonight.
- ChloéD'accord, je vais t'apporter un jus d'orange.Okay, I will bring you an orange juice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alcohol” translations and entries alcool, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alcool, alcoolique, boisson, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
