chariot
/ʃa.ʁjo/masculine
The English word 'cart' can be translated into French as chariot or charrette.
Meaning: small, open, wheeled vehicle (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chariot | /ʃa.ʁjo/ | masculine |
| charrette | /ʃa.ʁɛt/ | feminine |
Both words describe a small, open, wheeled vehicle. While chariot is a general term for a cart, charrette often implies a more rustic or wooden vehicle.
Which one should you use?
Chariot is a general term for a cart. In contrast, charrette typically refers to a rustic, wooden or old-fashioned cart, such as one pulled by an animal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, people often refer to a shopping cart as panier d'épicerie.
How does it change in a sentence?
Chariot is a masculine noun. Charrette is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃa.ʁjo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use panier when you mean a wheeled cart, as panier primarily means 'basket' in French.
When do people say it?
In certain professional contexts, the word charrette can idiomatically refer to a period of intense work performed to meet a deadline.
Did you know?
- The idiomatic use of charrette to describe a stressful deadline likely comes from architecture students who loaded their projects into a cart to be delivered by the youngest student on the day of an exhibition.
- While chariot refers to a cart, the word char in French is used specifically for a ceremonial float in a parade or an ancient war chariot.
- The English word 'carriage' shares a common linguistic ancestor with chariot and charrette, stemming from the same root for a wheeled vehicle.
Examples in context
- Tom poussait son chariot dans l'allée.Tom pushed his shopping cart down the aisle.This sentence shows how to use chariot to describe a shopping cart.Tatoeba #8925304 by lbdx, translation #6570621 by Hybrid
- Il a commencé sa carrière avec une petite charrette à légumes qu'il conduisait de maison en maison.He began his career with a small vegetable cart which he took around from house to house.This sentence illustrates the use of charrette for a small vegetable cart.Tatoeba #132147 by Aiji, translation #297084 by papabear
- La vieille charrette du village, tirée par des bœufs, cahotait sur la route poussiéreuse tandis que les fermiers transportaient leur récolte au marché.The old village cart was ox‑drawn, clattering along the dusty road as the farmers hauled their harvest to market.This sentence uses charrette to describe a rustic, ox-drawn village cart.Tatoeba #13585523 by Myrano_, translation #13585522 by Myrano_
- Excusez-moi, où est le chariot?Excuse me, where is the cart?
- Peux-tu me prêter ton caddie?Can you lend me your cart?
- Vous pouvez apporter le chariot, s'il vous plaît?Can you bring the cart, please?
- J'ai besoin d'un chariot pour transporter ces boîtes.I need a cart to transport these boxes.
- Attends-moi près des caddies à l'entrée du supermarché.Wait for me near the carts at the supermarket entrance.
Example conversation
In a historical museum, Lucas and Léa look at an exhibit.
- LucasRegarde ce vieux chariot dans la vitrine.Look at this old cart in the display case.
- LéaIl est vraiment impressionnant, ce chariot.It is really impressive, this cart.
- LucasIl servait à transporter de l'eau autrefois.It was used to transport water in the past.
- LéaC'est fascinant de voir comment ils vivaient.It's fascinating to see how they lived.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cart” translations and entries chariot, charrette, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chariot, charrette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
