boîte de nuit
/bwat də nɥi/
In French, the English word 'club' (referring to a nightclub) is translated as boîte de nuit.
The term boîte de nuit specifically refers to a nightclub where people go to dance. It is important to note that if you mean 'club' in the sense of a social or sports association/organization, you should use club or association instead of boîte de nuit.
Meaning: association of members (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase boîte de nuit literally translates to 'night box'.
Which one should you use?
While 'boîte de nuit' is used for a nightclub, the English sense of 'club' as a social or sports organization is translated as club or association.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual conversation, French speakers often shorten boîte de nuit to just boîte when referring to a nightclub. In some formal contexts, if you are referring to a social organization, you can use l'association instead of le club.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, the term la boîte de nuit is frequently used to describe a club, particularly those that operate at night.
Related words
Did you know?
- The Latin root of boîte actually connects it to the 'box tree' plant, adding a botanical layer to a word that now means a container or a club.
- In French, calling a workplace ma boîte is a very common colloquialism, similar to calling a job 'my outfit' or 'my shop' in some English dialects.
- While boîte means a nightclub, the word is also used in the phrase boîte à lettres to describe a mailbox.
Examples in context
- Gustavo marchait vers la boîte de nuit.Gustavo walked toward the club.This sentence shows someone walking toward the boîte de nuit.Tatoeba #12183269 by always, translation #11769665 by Amastan
- Il a menti sur son âge pour entrer dans la boîte de nuit.He lied about his age to get into the club.This sentence describes someone lying about their age to enter the boîte de nuit.Tatoeba #12441388 by lbdx, translation #2776274 by Hybrid
- Les hommes ivres ont fait des remarques désobligeantes envers les femmes présentes dans la boîte de nuit.The drunken men made derogatory remarks toward the women in the club.This sentence illustrates a situation involving derogatory remarks made within a boîte de nuit.Tatoeba #12624122 by lbdx, translation #1415698 by CS
- Nous avons notre réunion mensuelle du club demain.We have our monthly club meeting tomorrow.
- On se retrouve au cercle ce soir?Are we meeting at the club tonight?
- J'ai passé une super soirée dans la boîte de nuit hier soir.I had a great time at the club last night.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are deciding where to go on a Saturday night.
- GabrielOn va dans une boîte de nuit ce soir ?Are we going to a nightclub tonight?
- LéaJe ne veux pas aller dans cette boîte de nuit.I don't want to go to that nightclub.
- GabrielPourquoi ? La musique est bonne dans cette boîte de nuit.Why? The music is good in this nightclub.
- LéaElle est trop bruyante pour moi, Gabriel.It is too loud for me, Gabriel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry boîte de nuit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boîte, boîte de nuit, de, nuit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
