panier
/pa.nje/masculine
The English word basket is translated into French as panier.
panier is the most common word for basket in French. You can specify what the basket is for by using the structure panier à followed by the object, such as panier à fruits (fruit basket) or panier à linge (laundry basket). Another common way to refer to a shopping basket is panier de courses.
Meaning: container (noun)
Which one should you use?
While panier is the general term, other words are used for specific types of containers. corbeille refers to a basket used for decorative or gift purposes, whereas hotte refers to a large basket or hamper often used for carrying or transporting goods.
How does it change in a sentence?
panier is a masculine noun. The plural form is paniers.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /pa.nje/ and it has two syllables.
Did you know?
- In the 18th century, paniers referred to the wide side-hoops worn under women's skirts to make them look like baskets.
- In French, if you are talking about a 'basket' of goods in a financial or economic context, you might use the term panier de la ménagère, which literally translates to 'the housewife's basket'.
- The term panier can be used figuratively to describe a 'basket' of varying items, such as in the expression panier de crabes, meaning a 'basket of crabs' to describe a group of people constantly quarreling.
Examples in context
- Le panier était vide.The basket was empty.This sentence is useful for describing the state of a panier.Tatoeba #5381100 by Aiji, translation #4902788 by CK
- Où est le panier à linge ?Where's the laundry basket?This sentence shows how to use the phrase panier à linge for a laundry basket.Tatoeba #11168766 by lbdx, translation #9312722 by Nylez
- Mets tout dans mon panier !Put everything into my basket!This sentence demonstrates the use of panier for putting items inside.Tatoeba #2154659 by sacredceltic, translation #13855441 by tieguy
- Je cherche un panier pour ramasser les fruits.I'm looking for a basket to gather the fruits.
- Le fleuriste a placé les roses dans une corbeille en osier.The florist put the roses in a wicker basket.
- Les livreurs utilisent une hotte pour transporter les provisions.Deliverymen use a basket to transport supplies.
- Je t'ai ramené un panier de chocolats.I brought you a basket of chocolates.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are shopping for fruit at a market.
- ChloéOn a besoin d'un panier pour les pommes.We need a basket for the apples.
- NathanTu as raison, Chloé. Je vais en chercher un.You are right, Chloé. I will go find one.
- ChloéPrends le petit panier en osier, s'il te plaît.Take the small wicker basket, please.
- NathanD'accord, Nathan s'en occupe !Okay, Nathan is on it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basket” translations and entries panier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
