céleste
/se.lɛst/
The English adjective celestial is translated into French as céleste.
The word refers to something that is of, relating to or located in the sky or outer space. In a scientific context, the specific phrase corps céleste is the standard way to say "celestial body".
Meaning: of, relating to, or located in the sky or outer space (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective céleste is the same in both its masculine and feminine forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/se.lɛst/
Did you know?
- The French word céleste shares its roots with the English word 'ceiling', as both stem from the Latin 'caelum' meaning 'sky' or 'heaven'.
- The French word céleste is the root of the name Céleste, which can be used as a given name for both men and women in France.
- In French poetry, using the term céleste can evoke a sense of divine or religious perfection rather than just physical space.
Examples in context
- Tom ne sait pas ce qu'est une étoile ni ce qu'est un corps céleste.Tom doesn't know what a star is and what a celestial body is.This sentence shows how to use the term to refer to a celestial body.Tatoeba #12185909 by Rovo, translation #5614881 by joshodude_1308
- Un moyen économique d'explorer le système solaire consistait à envoyer des milliers de sondes robotisées pour relever les données des corps célestes.A cost-effective way to explore the Solar System was to send thousands of robotic probes to scour celestial bodies for data.This sentence demonstrates the use of céleste when discussing the exploration of celestial bodies.Tatoeba #1593855 by sacredceltic, translation #1592686 by nonong
- Les étoiles sont des objets célestes qui illuminent le ciel nocturne.Stars are celestial objects that illuminate the night sky.
- La lueur de la lune crée une atmosphère divinement céleste.The glow of the moon creates a divinely celestial atmosphere.
- La voix de l'artiste était éthérée, semblable à un chant céleste.The artist's voice was ethereal, similar to a celestial song.
- Les aurores boréales offrent un spectacle surnaturellement céleste dans le ciel arctique.The Northern Lights provide a supernaturally celestial spectacle in the Arctic sky.
- Les alignements célestes sont magnifiques ce soir.The celestial alignments are magnificent tonight.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at the night sky through a telescope.
- LucasRegarde cet objet céleste, Emma !Look at that celestial object, Emma!
- EmmaC'est vraiment incroyable, Lucas.It is truly incredible, Lucas.
- LucasEst-ce une nouvelle comète ?Is it a new comet?
- EmmaJe ne sais pas, mais c'est brillant.I don't know, but it is bright.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “celestial” translations and entries céleste, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries céleste, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
