canal
/ka.nal/masculine
The English word 'canal' is canal in French.
The term canal refers to an artificial waterway.
Meaning: artificial waterway (noun)
Which one should you use?
While canal refers to an artificial waterway, the term chenal is used to describe a natural channel or a shipping lane within a sea or a river.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ka.nal/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French anatomy, the term canal is used to describe certain passages in the body, such as the canal carpien or 'carpal tunnel'.
- The word canal is a doublet of chenal, meaning they both originate from the same Latin root but evolved into two different French words.
- The phrase canaliser son énergie uses the root of canal to mean 'channeling' or directing one's energy toward a goal.
Examples in context
- Le navire traversa le Canal de Suez.The ship sailed through the Suez Canal.This sentence shows the use of canal for a major waterway like the Suez Canal.Tatoeba #4092207 by sbamsbamsbam, translation #4092051 by andymakespasta
- Peut-on dériver l'eau vers le canal ?Can we shunt the water over to the canal?This sentence shows how to use canal when talking about shunting water.Tatoeba #9192133 by Micsmithel, translation #8860420 by AlanF_US
- L'homme-grenouille s'est jeté dans le canal.The frogman jumped into the canal.This sentence shows canal being used as a place to jump into.Tatoeba #11920097 by lbdx, translation #1417266 by CM
- Le canal de Panama est une merveille d'ingénierie.The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel.
- Le fluviomètre indiquait que le canal était plein.The water level gauge indicated that the canal was full.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are walking along a waterway in a park.
- GabrielLe canal est très calme aujourd'hui.The canal is very calm today.
- ChloéOui, c'est un bel endroit pour marcher.Yes, it is a beautiful place to walk.
- GabrielRegarde, il y a un petit bateau sur le canal.Look, there is a small boat on the canal.
- ChloéIl est vraiment charmant, ce paysage.This landscape is truly charming.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “canal” translations and entries canal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries canal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
