caméscope
/ka.me.skɔp/masculine
The French word for camcorder is caméscope. Wiktionary also lists caméra vidéo.
Meaning: electronic device (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| caméscope | /ka.me.skɔp/ | masculine |
| caméra vidéo | feminine |
The term is used to describe an electronic device used for recording video.
Which one should you use?
Use the masculine noun caméscope to refer specifically to a handheld camcorder device. In contrast, use the feminine phrase caméra vidéo when referring more generally to a video camera.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun caméscope is masculine, so it is used with the indefinite article un (un caméscope). The phrase caméra vidéo is feminine, so it is used with the indefinite article une (une caméra vidéo).
How do you pronounce it?
/ka.me.skɔp/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word caméra and the common French word for a room, chambre, share the same Latin ancestor, camera, meaning 'chamber'.
- In some French-speaking regions, asking for a caméra may lead you to professional cinema equipment rather than the consumer electronics section for caméscopes.
- While English speakers use 'video' as an adjective, French speakers can use vidéo as a noun to refer specifically to a physical tape, as in louer une vidéo.
Examples in context
- J'ai acheté une cam pour filmer nos vacances en famille.I bought a camcorder to film our family vacation.
- T'as vu mon nouveau camescope ? On peut prendre des vidéos incroyables avec ça!Have you seen my new camcorder? You can take incredible videos with it!
- Il a acheté un nouveau caméscope.He bought a new camcorder.
- Le caméscope est sur la table.The camcorder is on the table.
- Je cherche mon vieux caméscope.I am looking for my old camcorder.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are looking through old family belongings.
- LucasRegarde, Léa, j'ai trouvé le vieux caméscope !Look, Léa, I found the old camcorder!
- LéaC'est génial, Lucas ! Est-ce qu'il marche encore ?That's great, Lucas! Does it still work?
- LucasJe ne sais pas, il me faut une batterie.I don't know, I need a battery.
- LéaCherche dans le tiroir, elle est peut-être là.Look in the drawer, it might be there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “camcorder” translations and entries caméscope, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caméra, vidéo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
