Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| enterrement | /ɑ̃.tɛʁ.mɑ̃/ | |
| inhumation | /i.ny.ma.sjɔ̃/ | |
| sépulture | /se.pyl.tyʁ/ | |
| ensevelissement | /ɑ̃.sə.vlis.mɑ̃/ | masculine |
Which one should you use?
Enterrement is the standard term used for the funeral ceremony or the act of burying a person. Inhumation is a formal, technical term used specifically for the act of placing a body in a grave, often in legal, medical or administrative settings. Sépulture often refers to the physical grave or the resting place itself rather than the ceremony. Ensevelissement describes the physical act of covering something up, such as being buried by an avalanche or sand and is not used for funeral rites.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Inhumation and sépulture are formal terms used in legal or administrative contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Ensevelissement is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word enterrement is pronounced /ɑ̃.tɛʁ.mɑ̃/ and has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In France, the phrase enterrement de vie de jeune fille or de garçon refers to a bachelorette or bachelor party, literally meaning the 'burial' of one's youth or single life.
- The verb enterrer contains the word terre, meaning 'earth' or 'ground', making the word's literal core 'to put into earth'.
- The word sépulture is a direct descendant of the Latin sepultūra, which is the same root shared by the English word 'sepulcher'.
Examples in context
- Nous assistons à l'enterrement.We're attending the burial.This sentence is useful for describing the act of attending an enterrement.Tatoeba #2029568 by Rovo, translation #11615888 by tieguy
- Quand aura lieu l'enterrement ?When is the burial?This sentence is useful for asking about the timing of an enterrement.Tatoeba #11232307 by lbdx, translation #10739027 by SGM
- Ils ont exhumé le corps de Tom et lui ont offert un enterrement digne.They dug up Tom's body and gave him a proper burial.This sentence is useful for describing providing a dignified enterrement.Tatoeba #8939510 by lbdx, translation #3859802 by Amastan
- Les proches se sont réunis pour assister à l'enterrement de leur bien-aimé.The loved ones gathered to attend the burial of their beloved.
- La famille a choisi un lieu de sépulture paisible en banlieue.The family chose a peaceful burial place in the suburbs.
- L'inhumation aura lieu demain au cimetière familial.The burial will take place tomorrow at the family cemetery.
- Les funérailles auront lieu dans l'église du village.The funeral will take place in the village church.
- Le prêtre a béni le cercueil avant la mise en terre.The priest blessed the coffin before the burial.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are discussing the arrangements for a relative's funeral.
- ManonL'enterrement sera samedi matin.The burial will be Saturday morning.
- HugoC'est très court comme délai.That is a very short notice.
- ManonOui, mais c'est le souhait de la famille.Yes, but it is the family's wish.
- HugoJe comprends, je serai là pour l'enterrement.I understand, I will be there for the burial.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “burial” translations and entries enterrement, inhumation, sépulture, ensevelissement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ensevelissement, enterrement, inhumation, sépulture, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
