clarinette basse
/kla.ʁi.nɛt bas/feminine
The English phrase "bass clarinet" is translated into French as clarinette basse.
clarinette basse refers to the bass instrument in the clarinet family.
Meaning: bass instrument in the clarinet family (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so the definite article used is la (e.g., la clarinette basse).
Did you know?
- In French, the feminine gender of basse in this context is actually an elliptical way of referring to la voix basse, or 'the low voice'.
- Because clarinette ends in the diminutive suffix -ette, it historically implies a smaller or lighter version of a larger ancestor.
- French musicians sometimes refer to the clarinette basse as the basse for short when the context of the woodwind section is already clear.
Examples in context
- Je joue de la clarinette basse dans l'orchestre symphonique.I play the bass clarinet in the symphony orchestra.
- Elle joue de la clarinette basse dans l'orchestre.She plays the bass clarinet in the orchestra.
- Je dois acheter une clarinette basse pour le concert.I need to buy a bass clarinet for the concert.
- Le son de la clarinette basse est très profond.The sound of the bass clarinet is very deep.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are preparing for an orchestra rehearsal.
- GabrielLéa, as-tu vu ma clarinette basse ?Léa, have you seen my bass clarinet?
- LéaOui, elle est près du piano.Yes, it is near the piano.
- GabrielMerci, je vais la prendre.Thanks, I'll go get it.
- LéaDe rien, Gabriel !You're welcome, Gabriel!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bass clarinet” translations and entries clarinette basse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basse, clarinette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
