oiseau
/wa.zo/masculine
The French word for bird is oiseau. If unsure, use oiseau. Wiktionary also lists oiselle and oiselet.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| oiseau | /wa.zo/ /wa.zo/ (Louisiana) |
masculine |
| oiselle | /wa.zɛl/ | feminine, poetic |
| oiselet | /waz.lɛ/ | diminutive, literary, masculine |
| oisillon | /wa.zi.jɔ̃/ | diminutive, masculine |
The word oiseau is the general and most common term used to describe a bird.
Which one should you use?
While oiseau is the general term, oisillon is used specifically to refer to a young or small bird, such as a baby bird or a fledgling. The form oiselet is a literary diminutive form.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In contrast, oiselle is a poetic form and is not used in everyday conversation. Similarly, oiselet is a literary form.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of oiseau is oiseaux.
How do you pronounce it?
/wa.zo/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- The word oiseau actually contains a hidden diminutive, as it is derived from the Late Latin aucellus, which means 'little bird'.
- In French slang, calling someone an oiseau de nuit (night bird) identifies them as a 'night owl' or someone who frequents the nightlife.
- French speakers use the expression un oiseau rare (a rare bird) to describe a person with unique or eccentric qualities.
Examples in context
- Quel bel oiseau !What a beautiful bird it is!This is useful for admiring a bird.Tatoeba #8553423 by felix63, translation #36134 by klebermann
- Est-ce un oiseau ?Is it a bird?This is useful for asking if something is a bird.Tatoeba #7794028 by Aiji, translation #3153410 by shekitten
- Dieu est un oiseau.God is a bird.This is useful for a metaphorical statement.Tatoeba #12828343 by Rovo, translation #12435392 by Miktsoanit
- Le bel oiseau chante dans l'arbreThe beautiful bird is singing in the tree
- L'étude concerne le comportement des volatilesThe study concerns bird behavior
- Le rossignol chante merveilleusement bienThe nightingale sings beautifully
- 276 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are walking in a park.
- ManonRegarde cet oiseau bleu !Look at that blue bird!
- LucasIl est magnifique.It is magnificent.
- ManonL'oiseau vole vers la forêt.The bird is flying toward the forest.
- LucasOui, il est parti.Yes, it is gone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bird” translations and entries oiseau, oiselle, oiselet, oisillon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oiseau, oisillon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
