basse
/bas/feminine
The French word for the musical instrument bass is basse.
basse is a feminine noun referring to the musical instrument. You can use the related term bassiste to refer to a bass player, and the phrase les basses fréquences to refer to low frequencies.
Meaning: musical instrument (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you play the bass, you must use the construction jouer de la basse (the verb jouer followed by the preposition de and the appropriate article).
How do you pronounce it?
/bas/
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'bass' for both the instrument and the fish, a French person talking about the fish would use the word bar instead.
- Even though the Italian word 'basso' is masculine, the French word became feminine because it was thought to be an abbreviation of 'la voix basse', meaning 'the low voice'.
- French musicians typically use la basse as shorthand for the bass guitar, whereas the double bass is called la contrebasse.
Examples in context
- Il joue de la basse.He plays bass guitar.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say someone plays bass guitar using the form basse.Tatoeba #7752018 by Katastrauff, translation #2571543 by Hybrid
- Tom joue de la basse.Tom is playing bass guitar.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say someone is playing bass guitar using the form basse.Tatoeba #7752019 by Katastrauff, translation #6270223 by CK
- J'ai arrêté de jouer de la basse.I quit playing the bass guitar.This sentence is useful for saying you quit playing the bass guitar using the form basse.Tatoeba #7752020 by Katastrauff, translation #1626690 by AlanF_US
- La basse est essentielle dans cette composition musicale.The bass is essential in this musical composition.
- Ça sonne bien avec la basse.It sounds good with the bass.
- Lucie est une excellente bassiste.Lucie is an excellent bass player.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are talking about a rehearsal at a music studio.
- ManonEst-ce que tu amènes ta basse ?Are you bringing your bass?
- HugoOui, j'ai ma basse dans la voiture.Yes, I have my bass in the car.
- ManonParfait, on commence bientôt.Perfect, we are starting soon.
- HugoD'accord, j'arrive tout de suite.Okay, I'll be right there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bass” translations and entries basse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
