trèfle
/tʁɛfl/masculine
In French, the English phrase 'clubs' (referring to the playing card suit) is translated as trèfle.
The term refers to one of the four suits of playing cards, marked with the symbol ♣.
Meaning: one of the four suits of playing cards, marked with the symbol ♣ (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word trèfle literally means 'clover'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify a specific card, such as the 'ace of clubs', use the structure as de [suit]. While trèfle is the singular form, the plural form of the suit is trèfles.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʁɛfl/
Did you know?
- In certain traditional French card games, the trèfles are sometimes associated with the peasantry or the working class, mirroring a social hierarchy within the deck.
- The French word for a 'cloverleaf' interchange on a highway is échangeur en trèfle, using the same word as the card suit.
- The word trèfle is a linguistic relative of the English word 'trefoil', which describes an architectural ornament with three lobes.
Examples in context
- J'ai l'as de trèfle.I have the ace of clubs.This sentence is useful for learning how to name a specific card using the form trèfle.Tatoeba #4557934 by sacredceltic, translation #2528234 by CK
- Je suis membre d'un club de lectureI am a member of a book club
- J'ai été invité à un cercle de réflexionI have been invited to a think tank
- Nous travaillons avec une association de comédiensWe work with an actors' club
- Allons en boîte de nuit ce soir!Let's go to a nightclub tonight!
- Le roi de trèfle est sur la table.The king of clubs is on the table.
- Il me manque juste un trèfle pour gagner.I am just missing one club to win.
Example conversation
Two friends are playing a card game at a cafe.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as un trèfle ?Do you have a club?
- LéaNon, je n'ai que des cœurs.No, I only have hearts.
- GabrielLéa, regarde, j'ai trouvé le trèfle !Léa, look, I found the club!
- LéaBravo Gabriel, tu as gagné la partie.Well done Gabriel, you won the game.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clubs” translations and entries trèfle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
