chaîne
/ʃɛn/feminine
The French word for a broadcasting channel is chaîne.
In the context of broadcasting, chaîne refers to a specific radio frequency or band of frequencies used for transmitting television.
Meaning: broadcasting: specific radio frequency or band of frequencies used for transmitting television (noun)
Which one should you use?
The formal term chenal is used in the context of maritime or navigation channels.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word chaîne is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɛn/
Did you know?
- The word chaîne descends from the Latin 'catēna', making it a linguistic relative of the English word 'concatenate'.
- French uses the same word chaîne for a sequence of broadcasted programs and a physical chain of metal links.
- The word chaîne can also refer to a 'chain' of events or a sequence. This reflects the underlying concept of a series of connected things, whether they are links of metal or a sequence of broadcasted programs.
Examples in context
- Ne change pas la chaîne.Don't change the channel.This sentence is useful for learning how to use chaîne when talking about changing a television channel.Tatoeba #7689413 by Maxence, translation #2270336 by CK
- As-tu une chaîne YouTube ?Do you have a YouTube channel?This sentence shows how to ask about a YouTube chaîne.Tatoeba #3625499 by sacredceltic, translation #3618025 by Hybrid
- Puis-je changer de chaîne ?Can I change the channel?This sentence illustrates how to ask permission to change the chaîne.Tatoeba #4784977 by sacredceltic, translation #40189 by CK
- Quelle chaîne préfères-tu regarder le soir?Which channel do you prefer to watch in the evening?
- Je préfère regarder les chaînes de sport.I prefer to watch sports channels.
- Les navires empruntent le chenal pour entrer dans le port.Ships use the channel to enter the port.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are looking for something to watch on TV.
- ChloéQuelle chaîne regardes-tu ?Which channel are you watching?
- HugoJe regarde la chaîne d'information.I am watching the news channel.
- ChloéEst-ce qu'il y a un film sur une autre chaîne ?Is there a movie on another channel?
- HugoOui, regarde sur la chaîne six.Yes, look on channel six.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “channel” translations and entries chaîne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chaîne, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
