chamois
/ʃa.mwa/masculine
The English phrase chamois translates to the French chamois.
In this context, chamois refers to a cloth used for cleaning.
Meaning: cloth (noun)
Which one should you use?
Note that the word chamois is ambiguous in French as it refers to both the cleaning cloth and the species of mountain goat.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʃa.mwa/ and has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The term chamois may be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *kem- meaning 'without horns'.
- French leatherworkers use the term chamoiser to describe the process of rubbing leather to make it soft and velvety.
- Because 'chamois' refers to a leather cloth, the word is deeply tied to the history of tanning and leatherworking in Europe.
Examples in context
- Vois-tu le chamois ?Do you see the chamois?Tatoeba #9856958 by Julien_PDC, translation #12228297 by Miktsoanit
- Les chamois se déplacent par bonds.Chamois move in leaps.Tatoeba #9857075 by lbdx, translation #12228298 by Miktsoanit
- Les chamois peuvent vivre jusqu’à 25 ans.Chamois can live for 25 years.Tatoeba #9856998 by lbdx, translation #12228300 by Miktsoanit
- J'ai vu un chamois dans les montagnes aujourd'hui.I saw a chamois in the mountains today.
- Le Massif des Bauges est réputé pour sa population de chamois.The Bauges Massif is renowned for its population of chamois.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are cleaning a car together.
- HugoOù est le chamois pour les vitres ?Where is the chamois for the windows?
- ChloéIl est dans le garage, Hugo.It is in the garage, Hugo.
- HugoJe ne le trouve pas ici.I cannot find it here.
- ChloéRegarde sur l'étagère, le chamois est là.Look on the shelf, the chamois is there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chamois” translations and entries chamois, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chamois, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
