citrouille
/si.tʁuj/
The French word for pumpkin is citrouille.
The word citrouille refers specifically to a pumpkin. You can use the expression tarte à la citrouille for pumpkin pie, and lanterne d'Halloween for a Jack-o'-lantern. While citrouille is for pumpkins, the technical term for the entire gourd family is cucurbitacée.
Which one should you use?
While citrouille refers specifically to a pumpkin, the broader term courge is used for squash or gourds.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas, particularly in Belgium and Switzerland, potiron is the preferred word for pumpkin.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun citrouille is feminine. The definite article used with it is la, and the plural form is citrouilles.
How do you pronounce it?
/si.tʁuj/
Did you know?
- The word citrouille is actually a distant linguistic cousin to the English word 'citrus'.
- The botanical term cucurbitacée is used in French to categorize not just pumpkins, but also melons and cucumbers.
Examples in context
- J'ai acheté une citrouille pour la décoration d'Halloween.I bought a pumpkin for Halloween decoration.
- La citrouille est un légume polyvalent qui peut être utilisé dans de nombreuses recettes.Pumpkin is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many recipes.
- J'ai acheté une grosse citrouille.I bought a big pumpkin.
- La citrouille est sur la table.The pumpkin is on the table.
- Il y a une citrouille dans le jardin.There is a pumpkin in the garden.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are decorating their kitchen for autumn.
- LucasOù est la citrouille pour la décoration ?Where is the pumpkin for the decoration?
- ManonElle est dans le panier.It is in the basket.
- LucasEst-ce qu'elle est assez grande ?Is it big enough?
- ManonOui, elle est parfaite.Yes, it is perfect.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry citrouille, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries citrouille, CC BY-SA 4.0.
