Bob
/bɔb/
In French, the verb Bob means to move something as though it were bobbing in water.
Meaning: move (something) as though it were bobbing in water (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔb/
Did you know?
- The French verb bob is not related to water but entered the language via English soldiers during the First World War.
- While 'bob' is a common English name, in French military history, it was used to describe specific types of light infantrymen.
- It is unusual for a French verb to be derived from an English nickname, a phenomenon typically reserved for much more common English words.
Examples in context
- Bob est mon ami.Bob is my friend.Tatoeba #338485 by sysko, translation #33182 by CN
- Oui, Bob m'a aidé.Yes, Bob helped me.Tatoeba #338194 by Barbiche0, translation #35577 by shanghainese
- Bob a-t-il raison ?Is Bob right?Tatoeba #9558784 by Micsmithel, translation #33175 by CN
- Salut Bobby ! Comment ça va ?Hi Bobby! How are you?
- 106 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are watching a small float in a pool.
- ChloéRegarde comment le bouchon commence à bob.Look at how the cork is starting to bob.
- GabrielC'est vrai, il monte et descend.That's true, it goes up and down.
- ChloéIl semble bob avec le courant.It seems to bob with the current.
- GabrielC'est très relaxant à regarder, Chloé.It is very relaxing to watch, Chloé.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Bob, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bob, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
