tatou
/ta.tu/masculine
The French word for armadillo is tatou.
tatou refers to the burrowing mammal covered with bony, jointed protective plates.
Meaning: burrowing mammal covered with bony, jointed protective plates (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
tatou is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of tatou is /ta.tu/.
Did you know?
- French speakers sometimes use the expression être comme un tatou to describe someone who is very shy or prefers to hide in their shell.
- The word tatou is a direct loanword from the Old Tupi language of South America, rather than being a word of Latin or French origin.
- In certain French-speaking regions of Africa, the tatou is sometimes conflated with the pangolin, though they are biologically different animals.
Examples in context
- Le tatou est un animal exotique qui vit principalement en Amérique centrale et en Amérique du SudThe armadillo is an exotic animal that primarily lives in Central and South America
- Le tatou à neuf bandes est originaire d'Amérique du Nord et est devenu une espèce invasive en EuropeThe Nine-banded armadillo is native to North America and has become an invasive species in Europe
- Le tatou vit dans le désert.The armadillo lives in the desert.
- J'ai vu un tatou dans un livre.I saw an armadillo in a book.
- Ce tatou a une carapace très dure.This armadillo has a very hard shell.
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are watching a nature documentary together.
- ManonRegarde ce petit tatou, Nathan !Look at that little armadillo, Nathan!
- NathanIl est vraiment impressionnant.He is truly impressive.
- ManonEst-ce que le tatou peut creuser vite ?Can the armadillo dig fast?
- NathanOui, il est très rapide pour ça.Yes, he is very fast at that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “armadillo” translations and entries tatou, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tatou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
