bus
/bys/feminine, masculine
The English word 'bus' can be translated into French as bus or autobus.
Meaning: vehicle (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bus | /bys/ /bʌs/ |
feminine, masculine |
| autobus | /o.tɔ.bys/ | masculine |
However, if you are specifically referring to a long-distance coach used for travel rather than local city transit, you should use the word autocar.
Which one should you use?
While bus is the common everyday term, autobus is a more formal or technical term for the same vehicle.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term autobus is a masculine noun. The term bus can be used as both a masculine and a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/bys/
Did you know?
- The term autobus was created in Paris in 1907 by blending the words automobile and omnibus.
Examples in context
- Où va ce bus ?Where does that bus go?This sentence shows how to ask about the destination of a bus.Tatoeba #3245367 by sacredceltic, translation #2270179 by _undertoad
- Je vis le bus.I saw the bus.This sentence is a simple way to state that you saw the bus.Tatoeba #9558639 by Micsmithel, translation #5840361 by CK
- Il vint en bus.He came by bus.This sentence demonstrates how to express arriving by means of a bus.Tatoeba #1313649 by sacredceltic, translation #35399 by CK
- Je vais prendre l'autobus pour aller au travail.I will take the bus to go to work
- Excusez-moi, où est-ce que je peux prendre le bus pour aller à la gare ?Excuse me, where can I take the bus to go to the train station?
- 880 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are waiting at a stop.
- NathanLe bus est en retard aujourd'hui.The bus is late today.
- LéaOui, il y a beaucoup de trafic.Yes, there is a lot of traffic.
- NathanRegarde, je vois enfin le bus !Look, I finally see the bus!
- LéaSuper, on va pouvoir partir.Great, we'll be able to leave.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bus” translations and entries bus, autobus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries autobus, bus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
