cellule
/sɛ.lyl/feminine
The English word cell is translated into French as cellule.
The word cellule is used in two main contexts: to refer to a biological cell, which is the basic unit of a living organism and to refer to a small room in a prison.
Meaning: basic unit of a living organism (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cellule covers biological and prison contexts, it is not used to refer to a mobile phone. In that case, you should use portable or téléphone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of cellule is cellules.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /sɛ.lyl/ and consists of two syllables.
Did you know?
- In a medical or biological context, French uses the term cellule souche for 'stem cell', where souche refers to the 'stump' of a tree.
- In political contexts, a cellule refers to a small, often secretive group within a larger organization or movement.
- The French cellule is derived from the Latin cellula, meaning 'a little room'.
Examples in context
- Tom s'est échappé de sa cellule.Tom escaped from his cell.This sentence shows the use of cellule in a prison context.Tatoeba #5671518 by Aiji, translation #4498338 by CK
- Sami s'est pendu dans sa cellule.Sami hung himself in his cell.Tatoeba #6707161 by GB3, translation #6706374 by OsoHombre
- J'ai la clé de la vingt-septième cellule.I have the key to the twenty-seventh cell.Tatoeba #10518039 by lbdx, translation #10489901 by AlanF_US
- Je travaille en celluleI work in a cell
- Je suis dans ma celluleI'm in my cell
- J'ai passé la nuit en taule à cause d'une bagarre.I spent the night in jail because of a fight.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are studying biology together.
- HugoQu'est-ce qu'une cellule, Emma ?What is a cell, Emma?
- EmmaC'est l'unité de base du vivant.It is the basic unit of living things.
- HugoEst-ce qu'une cellule peut se diviser ?Can a cell divide?
- EmmaOui, elle se divise pour se multiplier.Yes, it divides to multiply itself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cell” translations and entries cellule, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cellule, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
