briquet
/bʁi.kɛ/
The English phrase "cigarette lighter" is briquet in French.
A briquet is a small portable device used to create a flame for lighting cigarettes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun briquet is masculine. You should use the masculine indefinite article un for "a lighter" (un briquet) and the masculine definite article le for "the lighter" (le briquet). The plural form of the noun is briquets.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /bʁi.kɛ/.
Did you know?
- In French, the word briquet shares a linguistic ancestor with the word 'brick', stemming from a root meaning 'to break' into small pieces.
- In France, it is common to hear the brand name Bic used as a generic noun to describe any disposable lighter, regardless of the actual manufacturer.
- The French verb allumer is used to describe both the action of sparking a briquet and the action of powering on a computer or a lamp.
Examples in context
- Est-ce que vous avez un briquet ?Do you have a cigarette lighter?
- Il a oublié son briquet.He forgot his lighter.
- J'ai oublié mon briquet à la maison.I forgot my lighter at home.
- Est-ce que tu peux me prêter ton briquet ?Can you lend me your lighter?
- Il a acheté un nouveau briquet en métal.He bought a new metal lighter.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are standing outside a cafe.
- ChloéNathan, tu as un briquet ?Nathan, do you have a lighter?
- NathanOui, tiens, le voilà.Yes, here, here it is.
- ChloéMerci beaucoup, Chloé te le rendra.Thanks a lot, Chloé will give it back to you.
- NathanPas de problème.No problem.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry briquet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries briquet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
