argile
/aʁ.ʒil/feminine
The English word "clay" is translated into French as argile. Wiktionary also lists glaise.
Meaning: mineral substance (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| argile | /aʁ.ʒil/ | feminine |
| glaise | /ɡlɛz/ | feminine |
In French, both argile and glaise refer to the mineral substance known as clay.
Which one should you use?
argile is the standard, more technical or general term for clay used in science, art or industry.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because argile is a feminine noun starting with a vowel, the definite article la elides to l' as in l'argile.
How do you pronounce it?
/aʁ.ʒil/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- The French word glaise may be a distant relative of the English word 'clay', as both could have descended from the Proto-West Germanic root *klaij.
- In French pharmacies, argile verte is often sold as a therapeutic treatment for skin and digestion, reflecting a deep-rooted tradition of using mineral clay in medicine.
- In traditional French building, the word glaise refers specifically to the heavy, sticky earth used in 'torchis' to create wattle and daub walls.
Examples in context
- Tom façonna l'argile en un vase.Tom worked the clay into a vase.This sentence shows how to use argile when working a material into a shape.Tatoeba #790705 by sacredceltic, translation #37044 by Catriona
- Il a façonné un bol avec l'argile.He formed the clay into a bowl.This sentence demonstrates using argile to describe forming an object.Tatoeba #10215823 by lbdx, translation #302365 by AlanF_US
- Il a formé une boule avec la glaise.He formed a ball from the clay.This sentence illustrates the use of glaise when forming a shape.Tatoeba #11143663 by lbdx, translation #8078090 by AlanF_US
- Le potier travaille l'argile avec délicatesse.The potter delicately works the clay.
- Viens voir cette boue, je crois que c'est de l'argile !Come see this mud, I think it's clay!
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is showing Hugo her pottery project in her studio.
- HugoC'est une belle pièce.It is a beautiful piece.
- EmmaMerci, l'argile était très souple.Thank you, the clay was very supple.
- HugoEst-ce que tu as encore de l'argile ?Do you still have some clay?
- EmmaOui, il m'en reste un peu.Yes, I have a little bit left.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clay” translations and entries argile, glaise, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries argile, glaise, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
