trèfle
/tʁɛfl/masculine
The English word clover is translated into French as trèfle.
The word trèfle refers to the plant in the genus Trifolium. To refer specifically to a four-leaf clover, the standard phrase is un trèfle à quatre feuilles.
Meaning: plant in genus Trifolium (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word trèfle is a masculine noun. To form the plural, add an s to create trèfles, such as in Les trèfles.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʁɛfl/
Did you know?
- The term trèfle is also used in French card games to refer to the 'clubs' suit.
- The word trèfle is used in French to describe a cloverleaf interchange, where highways meet in a circular pattern.
- The word trèfle comes from the Latin trifolium, which was a literal translation of the Ancient Greek word tríphullon.
Examples in context
- Regardez ! Un trèfle à quatre feuilles !Look! A four-leafed clover!This example shows how to point out a four-leaf clover.Tatoeba #8701757 by Micsmithel, translation #3533931 by adamtrousers
- Meg a trouvé un trèfle à quatre feuilles.Meg found a four leaf clover.This sentence demonstrates finding a four-leaf clover.Tatoeba #15071 by Aiji, translation #31806 by CN
- Je laisse du trèfle pousser sur les bords.I am allowing clover to grow on the edges.This sentence describes leaving clover to grow on edges.Tatoeba #3646509 by sacredceltic, translation #1862578 by Jillyappleseed
- Le trèfle est un symbole typique de l'Irlande.Clover is a typical symbol of Ireland.
- Je cherche un trèfle à quatre feuilles.I'm looking for a four-leaf clover.
- Le trèfle est souvent utilisé comme un porte-bonheur.Clover is often used as a lucky charm.
- J'ai trouvé un trèfle à quatre feuilles !I found a four-leaf clover!
- Le trèfle irlandais est très célèbre.Irish clover is very famous.
- Regarde, il y a un trèfle près de ce rocher.Look, there's a clover near that rock.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are walking through a meadow.
- ManonRegarde, il y a beaucoup de trèfle ici.Look, there is a lot of clover here.
- GabrielC'est vrai, le champ est très vert.It's true, the field is very green.
- ManonTu veux chercher un trèfle à quatre feuilles ?Do you want to look for a four-leaf clover?
- GabrielOui, j'adorerais en trouver un !Yes, I would love to find one!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clover” translations and entries trèfle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trèfle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
