Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ballon | /ba.lɔ̃/ | masculine |
| ballon de baudruche | /ba.lɔ̃ d(ə) bo.dʁyʃ/ | masculine |
| ballon en baudruche | masculine | |
| ballon gonflable | masculine |
While ballon is the general term, it can be ambiguous as it refers to both a toy balloon and large balls used in sports, such as a soccer ball. To specifically describe a thin, inflatable toy balloon, you should use more descriptive phrases.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ballon de baudruche literally translates to 'balloon of rubber', as baudruche refers to a type of rubber or latex.
Which one should you use?
ballon is a broad term used for both toy balloons and sports balls like a soccer ball. In contrast, ballon de baudruche specifically refers to a thin, inflatable toy balloon. You may also see ballon en baudruche or ballon gonflable used to describe inflatable balloons.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms provided are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /ba.lɔ̃/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use ballon when they specifically mean a party balloon. Because ballon can also mean a sports ball, use ballon de baudruche or ballon gonflable for inflatable toy balloons to avoid ambiguity.
Did you know?
- The word baudruche originally referred to the inflated bladder or stomach of an animal used as a toy before rubber was invented.
- While ballon is used for toy balloons, a hot air balloon is called a montgolfière after the Montgolfier brothers who invented it.
- In French, a 'ballon' can also refer to a specific type of large, rounded wine glass used for tasting.
Examples in context
- Le ballon a éclaté.The balloon popped.This sentence shows how to say the balloon popped using ballon.Tatoeba #14036344 by Myrano_, translation #9689196 by megamanenm
- Le ballon est plein d'air.The balloon is filled with air.This sentence describes a balloon being filled with air using ballon.Tatoeba #1102082 by sacredceltic, translation #680137 by Source_VOA
- Un ballon monte dans le ciel.A balloon is ascending into the sky.This sentence describes a balloon ascending into the sky using ballon.Tatoeba #5158329 by Salemminou, translation #18271 by Zifre
- Le ballon rouge flotte dans le ciel.The red balloon floats in the sky.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are at a birthday party.
- NathanRegarde, un gros ballon rouge !Look, a big red balloon!
- LéaIl est très beau, Nathan.It is very beautiful, Nathan.
- NathanEst-ce que je peux l'avoir ?Can I have it?
- LéaFais attention, il peut éclater.Be careful, it might pop.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “balloon” translations and entries ballon, ballon de baudruche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
