pont
/pɔ̃/masculine
The English word 'bridge' is translated into French as pont.
The word pont refers to a construction or a natural feature that spans a divide. While pont is the general term, a viaduc specifically refers to a large bridge, typically constructed to cross over a valley or another large body of water. If you are referring to a floating bridge or a pontoon, use the word ponton. Related verbs include relier, used in computing and communication to mean connecting with a bridge and fondre, used in music to describe transitioning from one piece or section to another.
Meaning: construction or natural feature that spans a divide (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use pont for a general bridge, but use viaduc when describing a large bridge meant to cross a valley or a large body of water. Use ponton specifically for a pontoon or floating bridge.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun pont is masculine, so it is used with the masculine article le (e.g., le pont).
How do you pronounce it?
/pɔ̃/
Did you know?
- In France, a pont is a colloquial term for a mid-week holiday. If a public holiday falls on a Thursday, people take the Friday off to create a pont (bridge) to the weekend.
- The word pont is used in French to describe the deck of a ship. A sailor would refer to the surface they walk on as le pont.
- In French dental terminology, a pont is the word used for a dental bridge. This refers to a prosthetic used to replace missing teeth.
Examples in context
- Le pont est fermé.The bridge is closed.This sentence shows how to state that the pont is closed.Tatoeba #1816032 by sacredceltic, translation #1815714 by Spamster
- Le pont est-il sûr ?Is the bridge safe?This sentence is useful for asking if the pont is safe.Tatoeba #6324124 by Aiji, translation #2985623 by sharptoothed
- Ce pont est en bois.This bridge is made of wood.This sentence describes a bridge made of wood using the word pont.Tatoeba #8663152 by felix63, translation #59649 by CK
- Le pont relie les deux rives de la rivière.The bridge connects the two banks of the river.
- Allons à la passerelle pour voir la vue depuis le pont.Let's go to the footbridge to see the view from the bridge.
- Retrouvons-nous près de l'esplanade du pont pour prendre des photos.Let's meet near the bridge's esplanade to take some pictures.
- Le viaduc de Millau est une prouesse d'ingénierie.The Millau Viaduct is an engineering masterpiece.
- 192 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are walking toward a river.
- GabrielRegarde, il y a un grand pont ici.Look, there is a big bridge here.
- LéaEst-ce qu'on peut traverser le pont ?Can we cross the bridge?
- GabrielOui, le pont est ouvert aux piétons.Yes, the bridge is open to pedestrians.
- LéaSuper, traversons le pont ensemble.Great, let's cross the bridge together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bridge” translations and entries pont, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
