arctique
/aʁ.tik/
The English word arctic translates to French as arctique.
The adjective arctique is used to describe things that are cold, snowy or possess properties associated with extreme winter. To refer to the geographic region itself, you use the noun L'Arctique. You may also use the phrase La région arctique to mean the Arctic region.
Meaning: cold, snowy, or having other properties of extreme winter associated with the Arctic (adj)
Which one should you use?
When referring to the specific geographic region as a noun, use the capitalized Arctique. When using the word as an adjective, it should not be capitalized: arctique.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective arctique is not capitalized. If you use the noun phrase La région arctique, note that the word région is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /aʁ.tik/.
Did you know?
- The word arctique comes from the Greek word for 'bear'. This refers to the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, which is visible in the northern sky.
- A French speaker would refer to a 'polar bear' as an ours polaire rather than an ours arctique, even though the bear lives in the Arctic.
- While arctique describes the North, French uses the word austral to describe the South. These two terms are often paired together in French geography and science to create a symmetry that is more formal than 'northern' and 'southern'.
Examples in context
- Les ours blancs vivent en Arctique.White bears live in the Arctic.This sentence uses arctique to describe where white bears live.Tatoeba #11201778 by Aiji, translation #3657406 by andrewgtreantos
- Elle atteignit finalement l'Arctique.She finally reached the Arctic.This sentence uses Arctique to indicate a destination reached.Tatoeba #1038444 by sacredceltic, translation #8293761 by sundown
- Il n'y a pas de pingouins en Arctique.In the Arctic there are no penguins.This sentence uses Arctique to specify a location where there are no penguins.Tatoeba #2110526 by sacredceltic, translation #2110605 by shekitten
- L'Arctique est une région fascinante.The Arctic is a fascinating region.
- Les animaux arctiques sont bien adaptés au froid.Arctic animals are well-adapted to the cold.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking about the weather during a winter trip.
- HugoIl fait un froid arctique ce matin !It is arctically cold this morning!
- ManonOui, je ne peux pas sortir sans manteau.Yes, I cannot go out without a coat.
- HugoLe vent est aussi très fort.The wind is also very strong.
- ManonC'est vraiment un climat arctique ici.It really is an arctic climate here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arctic” translations and entries arctique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arctique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
