chimpanzé
/ʃɛ̃.pɑ̃.ze/masculine
The English word chimpanzee is translated into French as chimpanzé.
The term chimpanzé is used to refer to any hominid of the genus Pan.
Meaning: any hominid of the genus Pan (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
chimpanzé is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɛ̃.pɑ̃.ze/
Did you know?
- The word chimpanzé is an import from a Bantu language, meaning its roots are actually African rather than European.
- The French expression faire le singe means to behave foolishly or play the clown, which applies to the category chimpanzé belongs to.
- The word chimpanzé contains nasal vowels that do not exist in English, requiring the speaker to block air from the mouth.
Examples in context
- J'observe un chimpanzé qui épluche une banane et qui la mange.I observe a chimpanzee peel a banana and eat it.This sentence is useful for seeing the word chimpanzé used in a sentence describing an animal's behavior.Tatoeba #1486405 by martin9, translation #6855733 by Eccles17
- Dans le règne animal, le chimpanzé est notre plus proche cousin.In the animal kingdom, the chimpanzee is our closest cousin.
- As-tu déjà observé un chimpanzé dans la nature?Have you ever observed a chimpanzee in the wild?
- Le chimpanzé dort dans l'arbre.The chimpanzee is sleeping in the tree.
- J'ai vu un chimpanzé au zoo.I saw a chimpanzee at the zoo.
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are visiting the zoo.
- ManonRegarde ce chimpanzé, Lucas !Look at that chimpanzee, Lucas!
- LucasIl a l'air très drôle.He looks very funny.
- ManonC'est le plus grand chimpanzé ici.He is the biggest chimpanzee here.
- LucasOui, il est impressionnant.Yes, he is impressive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chimpanzee” translations and entries chimpanzé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chimpanzé, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
