bateau
/ba.to/
The French word bateau means a type of boat.
bateau is used to refer to a type of boat.
Meaning: type of boat (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term chaland is used to refer to a flat-bottomed boat used for transporting goods.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun bateau is masculine and is used with the indefinite article un (un bateau). To form the plural, add an x to the end: les bateaux.
How do you pronounce it?
/ba.to/
Did you know?
- A bateau can refer to a specific way of presenting an argument in French slang, where a bateau is a simplistic or naive point of view.
- In the world of French fashion, a bateau neckline refers to a wide, elegant neckline that follows the curve of the collarbone. This term is borrowed from the shape of a small vessel.
- The word bateau is used in the phrase bateau-lavoir, which refers to a floating laundry boat used in Paris until the mid-20th century.
Examples in context
- On a pris le petit bateau pour visiter l'île.We took the small boat to visit the island.
- Le bateau navigue sur la mer.The boat sails on the sea.
- Le bateau est sur l'eau.The boat is on the water.
- Nous avons loué un petit bateau.We rented a small boat.
- Regarde ce magnifique bateau de pêche.Look at that magnificent fishing boat.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are standing by the harbor.
- NathanEst-ce que tu vois ce bateau rouge ?Do you see that red boat?
- ManonOui, il est très beau, Nathan.Yes, it is very beautiful, Nathan.
- NathanOn pourrait monter à bord.We could go on board.
- ManonC'est une excellente idée !That is an excellent idea!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bateau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
