clignotant
The English phrase 'blinker' is translated into French as clignotant.
In French, clignotant refers to the light on a vehicle that flashes to indicate a driver's intention to turn. When you want to say that a driver is using their blinker, it is common to use the verb mettre, forming the phrase mettre son clignotant.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun clignotant is derived from the verb clignoter, which means to blink or to flash.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'blink' for both eyes and lights, French distinguishes between the physiological act of blinking, cligner des yeux, and the mechanical flashing of a clignotant.
- The term clignotant shares a semantic history with words used to describe shimmering or glimmering lights. This connects a functional piece of car equipment to more poetic descriptions of light.
- While clignotant is the standard term, French drivers often use the slang word cligno in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- J'ai oublié d'utiliser le clignotant lors de mon virage.I forgot to use the blinker during my turn.
- Assurez-vous que votre clignoteur fonctionne correctement avant de prendre la route.Make sure your blinker is working properly before hitting the road.
- N'oubliez pas d'utiliser l'indicateur de direction avant de changer de voie.Do not forget to use the blinker before changing lanes.
- La voiture a tourné à gauche sans allumer son clignotant de direction.The car turned left without activating its directional blinker.
- N'oublie pas de mettre ton clignotant.Don't forget to use your blinker.
- Le clignotant gauche est cassé.The left blinker is broken.
- Ton clignotant fonctionne encore.Your blinker is still working.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are in a car.
- LéaHugo, tu as mis ton clignotant ?Hugo, did you put on your blinker?
- HugoAh mince, j'ai complètement oublié !Oh shoot, I completely forgot!
- LéaFais attention, tourne doucement maintenant.Be careful, turn slowly now.
- HugoDésolé Léa, je fais attention.Sorry Léa, I'm being careful.
