carrousel
/ka.ʁu.zɛl/masculine
The English word 'carousel' can be translated into French as carrousel or manège.
Meaning: pleasure ride consisting of a slowly revolving circular platform on which are fixed various seats (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| carrousel | /ka.ʁu.zɛl/ /ka.ʁu.sɛl/ |
masculine |
| manège | /ma.nɛʒ/ | masculine |
In French, both terms refer to a pleasure ride consisting of a slowly revolving circular platform with fixed seats. To say that someone is 'going on a ride' on a carousel, French speakers typically use the phrase faire un tour de manège.
Which one should you use?
While carrousel exists, manège is the much more common word used for a carousel or merry-go-round in everyday French.
How do you pronounce it?
The word carrousel has three syllables and is pronounced /ka.ʁu.zɛl/.
Did you know?
- Historically, the carrousel was not a children's ride but a lavish military pageant and equestrian display for the nobility.
- The word manège is used figuratively in French to describe a complex or deceptive scheme, similar to the English phrase 'run a game'.
- The word manège is etymologically linked to the English word 'manner' and the French verb 'manier', which both stem from the idea of 'handling' or 'managing' a horse.
Examples in context
- Les enfants font un tour de manège.The children are riding the carousel.This sentence shows how to use the form manège to describe children riding the carousel.Tatoeba #12459614 by lbdx, translation #10016415 by AlanF_US
- Sur un cheval de manège, tu n'iras pas très loin !On a carousel horse, you will not go very far!This sentence uses the form manège in the context of a carousel horse.Tatoeba #10102022 by carlosalberto, translation #10102007 by carlosalberto
- Le vieux carrousel de la fête foraine est magnifique.The old carousel at the fair is magnificent.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are walking through a summer carnival.
- GabrielRegarde ce beau carrousel, Manon !Look at this beautiful carousel, Manon!
- ManonIl est très élégant avec ses lumières.It is very elegant with its lights.
- GabrielTu veux faire un tour ?Do you want to go for a ride?
- ManonOui, avec plaisir !Yes, with pleasure!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “carousel” translations and entries carrousel, manège, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manège, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
