banane
/ba.nan/
banane is the French word for banana.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ba.nan/.
Did you know?
- The word banane is used in French to describe a 'fanny pack', a small belt bag worn around the waist. While English speakers call it a fanny pack, a French person would call it a banane.
- In French slang, the phrase avoir la banane means to have a huge smile on your face. It describes a smile so wide that it resembles the curve of a banane.
- While 'banana' in English comes from the same root, the French banane specifically tracks back to Portuguese explorers who brought the word from West Africa. It traces its origins to a Niger-Congo language.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais acheter une banane.I would like to buy a banana.
- Les bananes sont riches en vitamines.Bananas are rich in vitamins.
- Je prépare un smoothie à la banane.I am making a banana smoothie.
- Les enfants ont mangé toutes les bananes.The children ate all the bananas.
- Je mange une banane.I am eating a banana.
- Elle veut une banane mûre.She wants a ripe banana.
- Est-ce qu'il reste une banane ?Is there a banana left?
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are in the kitchen in the morning.
- GabrielManon, tu veux une banane ?Manon, do you want a banana?
- ManonOui, merci Gabriel.Yes, thank you Gabriel.
- GabrielPrends la banane sur la table.Take the banana on the table.
- ManonElle est très bonne.It is very good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry banane, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries banane, CC BY-SA 4.0.
