stylo à bille
/sti.lo a bij/
The English phrase "ball pen" is translated into French as stylo à bille.
A stylo à bille refers to a writing tool that uses a small rotating ball to dispense ink onto paper. In casual conversation, French speakers often shorten this term to just stylo. Additionally, the word Bic is frequently used as a generic term for ball pens in informal settings.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of stylo (pen), à (with or characterized by) and bille (ball or marble).
Which one should you use?
While stylo à bille is the standard term, you might encounter stylo à encre à bille in more formal contexts, which translates to "ink ball pen". In common speech, you can also simply use stylo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In French-speaking Canada, you may come across the term un crayon à bille.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, form stylos à bille. Note that you add an s to stylo, but bille remains singular because it describes the specific type of pen.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tu peux me prêter un Bic ?Can you lend me a ball pen?
- Je vais prendre un crayon à bille pour signer le contrat.I will take a ball pen to sign the contract.
- Je cherche mon stylo à bille.I am looking for my ball pen.
- Ce stylo à bille écrit très bien.This ball pen writes very well.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are in a classroom.
- NathanEmma, tu as un stylo à bille ?Emma, do you have a ball pen?
- EmmaOui, j'en ai un dans mon sac.Yes, I have one in my bag.
- NathanMerci, je peux l'emprunter ?Thanks, can I borrow it?
- EmmaBien sûr, tiens.Of course, here you go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry stylo à bille, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bille, stylo, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
