jacinthe des bois
feminine
The French word for bluebell is jacinthe des bois.
This term refers to flowering plants belonging to the genus Hyacinthoides.
Meaning: flowering plants of the genus Hyacinthoides (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase jacinthe des bois literally translates to 'hyacinth of the woods'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun jacinthe des bois is feminine. When referring to a single bluebell, you use the indefinite article une to say une jacinthe des bois.
Did you know?
- The term jacinthe des bois is closely tied to the mythology of Hyacinthus, a youth loved by Apollo who was transformed into a flower after his death.
- While jacinthe des bois is the botanical name, a French person might simply call the flower une clochette if they are describing its bell-like shape rather than its species.
- The word bois shares a common ancestor with the English word 'bush'. It comes from a Germanic root meaning a thicket or grove.
Examples in context
- Je suis tombé(e) amoureux/amoureuse des jacynthes dans le jardin.I fell in love with the bluebells in the garden.
- Les jacinthes des bois fleurissent au printemps.The bluebells bloom in spring.
- J'ai vu une jacinthe des bois dans la forêt.I saw a bluebell in the forest.
- La jacinthe des bois est très délicate.The bluebell is very delicate.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are walking through a woodland path.
- LucasRegarde cette belle jacinthe des bois, Léa.Look at this beautiful bluebell, Léa.
- LéaElle est magnifique, Lucas.It is magnificent, Lucas.
- LucasEst-ce que tu en veux une ?Do you want one?
- LéaNon, laissons-la dans la nature.No, let's leave it in nature.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bluebell” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bois, des, jacinthe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
