Colisée
/kɔ.li.ze/masculine
The English word "colosseum" is Colisée in French. Wiktionary also lists Colossée.
Meaning: ancient stadium in Rome (name)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Colisée | /kɔ.li.ze/ | masculine |
| Colossée | /kɔ.lɔ.se/ | archaic, masculine |
Colisée refers to the ancient stadium located in Rome.
Which one should you use?
Colisée is the standard, modern French name used today. Colossée is an archaic and dated form.
How does it change in a sentence?
Colisée is a masculine noun and is almost always preceded by the definite article le to form le Colisée.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kɔ.li.ze/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- If a French person refers to a 'colosse aux pieds d'argile' (a colossus with feet of clay), they are using a literary idiom to describe a person or institution that is powerful but fundamentally flawed.
- The archaic form Colossée is derived from the same root as the English word 'colossal', both stemming from the Greek 'kolossos' meaning a giant statue.
- The French term colosse is used not just for statues or buildings but to describe a person of immense strength, such as a powerful athlete.
Examples in context
- Je veux visiter le Colisée à Rome.I want to visit the Colosseum in Roma.This sentence shows how to express a desire to visit the Colisée.Tatoeba #13500682 by QuentiBc, translation #13500679 by QuentiBc
- Les gladiateurs se battaient à mort dans le Colisée.Gladiators fought to death inside the Colosseum.This sentence describes gladiators fighting to death in the Colisée.Tatoeba #12611633 by lbdx, translation #7095607 by Hybrid
- Les gladiateurs combattaient des lions à l'intérieur du Colisée.Gladiators fought with lions inside the Colosseum.This sentence describes gladiators fighting lions inside the Colisée.Tatoeba #3625602 by sacredceltic, translation #3614679 by Hybrid
- Hier, j'ai visité le Colisée à Rome. C'était incroyable!Yesterday, I visited the Colosseum in Rome. It was amazing!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are looking at a travel brochure in a cafe.
- GabrielEst-ce qu'on peut voir le Colisée ?Can we see the Colosseum?
- LéaOui, c'est un monument magnifique.Yes, it is a magnificent monument.
- GabrielLe Colisée est très célèbre.The Colosseum is very famous.
- LéaIl faut réserver nos billets dès maintenant.We must book our tickets right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “colosseum” translations and entries Colisée, Colossée, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Colossée, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
