abeille
/a.bɛj/feminine
The English word "bee" is translated into French as abeille. Wiktionary also lists mouche à miel.
Meaning: insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| abeille | /a.bɛj/ /a.bɛːj/ (Montreal) |
feminine |
| mouche à miel | /mu.ʃ‿a mjɛl/ /mu.ʃ‿a mjɛl/ (Louisiana) |
feminine |
The word abeille is used for both honeybees and general bees, though honeybee is the most common context.
Which one should you use?
abeille is the standard term for a bee, while mouche à miel is another way to refer to the insect.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine singular form is abeille and the plural form is abeilles.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.bɛj/
Did you know?
- In French culture, the 'bee' is a symbol of the French Empire. Napoleon I adopted the abeille as a symbol to link his reign to the ancient Gauls and the Merovingian kings.
- The French word abeille is actually a diminutive form, originating from the Latin apicula, which means 'little bee'.
- French has a phrase avoir un bourdon dans la tête which describes a feeling of restlessness or a buzzing preoccupation, using the word for a bumblebee.
Examples in context
- Je fus piqué par une abeille.I was stung by a bee.This sentence shows how to describe being stung by an abeille.Tatoeba #1833442 by sacredceltic, translation #1384365 by CK
- J'ai été piqué par une abeille.I got a bee sting.This sentence is another way to express receiving a sting from an abeille.Tatoeba #334133 by sysko, translation #321078 by CK
- Où l'abeille t'a-t-elle piqué ?Where did the bee sting you?This sentence asks for the location of a sting caused by an abeille.Tatoeba #1858187 by sacredceltic, translation #1384319 by CK
- L'abeille joue un rôle vital dans la pollinisation des fleursThe bee plays a vital role in flower pollination
- Les butineuses sont responsables de la collecte de nectarThe worker bees are responsible for collecting nectar
- Les insectes pollinisateurs, comme les abeilles, contribuent à la reproduction des plantesPollinator insects, such as bees, contribute to plant reproduction
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are sitting in a garden.
- HugoRegarde cette belle abeille sur la fleur.Look at this beautiful bee on the flower.
- EmmaElle est très grande, cette abeille.That bee is very large.
- HugoNe la dérange pas, Emma.Don't disturb it, Emma.
- EmmaD'accord, je reste tranquille.Okay, I will stay still.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bee” translations and entries abeille, mouche à miel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abeille, miel, mouche, mouche à miel, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
