baleine bleue
/ba.lɛn blø/feminine
The English phrase "blue whale" is translated into French as baleine bleue. Wiktionary also lists rorqual bleu and rorqual de Sibbald.
Meaning: a whale, Balaenoptera musculus (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| baleine bleue | /ba.lɛn blø/ | feminine |
| rorqual bleu | /ʁɔʁ.kal blø/ | |
| rorqual de Sibbald |
The term refers to the whale species Balaenoptera musculus.
Which one should you use?
baleine bleue is the common name for the animal, while rorqual bleu is a more scientifically precise term used to describe the specific family of rorquals to which the blue whale belongs.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun baleine is feminine, so the definite article must be la and the adjective bleue must take the feminine -e ending, as seen in la baleine bleue.
How do you pronounce it?
/ba.lɛn blø/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- La baleine bleue, le plus grand mammifère existant, mesure en moyenne 30 mètres de long et peut peser jusqu'à 200 tonnes.The blue whale, the largest mammal in existence, averages 30 meters in length and can weigh up to 200 tons.This sentence provides information about the size and weight of the baleine bleue.Tatoeba #11658234 by carlosalberto, translation #11658231 by carlosalberto
- La baleine bleue est le plus grand animal vivant sur Terre.The blue whale is the largest animal living on Earth.
- Regarde cette grosse baleine bleue qui saute dans l'eau!Look at that big blue whale jumping out of the water!
- L'équipe de recherche a observé une énorme baleine bleue au large des côtes.The research team spotted an enormous blue whale off the coast.
- C'est un monstre! Regarde cette monstrueuse baleine bleue!It's a monster! Look at that monstrous blue whale!
- La baleine bleue est un animal fascinant.The blue whale is a fascinating animal.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are watching a nature program on TV.
- NathanRegarde, est-ce que c'est une baleine bleue ?Look, is that a blue whale?
- ChloéOui, elle est vraiment immense, cette baleine bleue.Yes, this blue whale is truly huge.
- NathanElle est magnifique à regarder.She is magnificent to watch.
- ChloéC'est incroyable de la voir à la télévision.It is incredible to see her on television.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blue whale” translations and entries baleine bleue, rorqual bleu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baleine, baleine bleue, bleu, de, rorqual, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
