fil de fer barbelé
/fil də fɛʁ baʁ.bə.le/masculine
The English phrase 'barbed wire' translates to French as fil de fer barbelé. If unsure, use fil de fer barbelé. Wiktionary also lists fil barbelé and barbelé.
Meaning: twisted strands of steel wire (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fil de fer barbelé | /fil də fɛʁ baʁ.bə.le/ | masculine |
| fil barbelé | /fil baʁ.bə.le/ | masculine |
| barbelé | /baʁ.bə.le/ | masculine |
The term refers to twisted strands of steel wire.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase fil de fer barbelé literally translates to 'wire of iron barbed'.
Which one should you use?
fil de fer barbelé is the full, formal term, whereas fil barbelé is a common, shortened version used in everyday speech. You can also use the single word barbelé to refer to the material.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun barbelé can be used in the plural form, les barbelés, to refer to the barbed wire itself. To specifically say 'barbed wire fence', use the phrase clôture de fils barbelés.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /fil də fɛʁ baʁ.bə.le/.
Did you know?
- The word barbelé comes from barbe, meaning 'beard'. It describes the wire as having small prickles or beards that snag clothing.
- In French literature and history, les barbelés often serves as a powerful symbol of the trenches and the horrors of World War I.
- French uses the same word fil for 'wire', 'thread' and 'yarn', whereas English uses different words for these distinct materials.
Examples in context
- Tom rampa sous les barbelés.Tom crawled under the barbed wire.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use barbelé in the plural.Tatoeba #7108346 by Micsmithel, translation #3047128 by CK
- Le bâtiment est entouré d'une clôture de fils barbelés.The building is surrounded by a barbed wire fence.This sentence is useful for how to say 'barbed wire fence' using the form barbelé.Tatoeba #9938335 by lbdx, translation #2342644 by Hybrid
- Il y a un fil de fer barbelé autour de la prairie.The field is surrounded by barbed wire.This sentence demonstrates the use of the default form fil de fer barbelé.Tatoeba #9849629 by felix63, translation #10506113 by sundown
- Le fil de fer barbelé entoure la propriété pour assurer la sécurité.The barbed wire surrounds the property to ensure security.
- Les fils barbelés sont dangereux s'ils ne sont pas manipulés avec précaution.Barbed wires are dangerous if they are not handled with caution.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking at a broken perimeter fence.
- ManonRegarde ce fil de fer barbelé cassé.Look at this broken barbed wire.
- GabrielGabriel, fais attention à ne pas te couper.Gabriel, be careful not to cut yourself.
- GabrielJe vais essayer de le réparer.I am going to try to fix it.
- ManonIl faut porter des gants épais.You must wear thick gloves.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “barbed wire” translations and entries fil de fer barbelé, fil barbelé, barbelé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barbelé, de, fer, fil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
