comète
/kɔ.mɛt/feminine
The English word comet is comète in French.
comète refers to a celestial body, generally one with a tail. It is a cognate of the English word comet. In formal or scientific contexts, one might use the term Corps céleste to discuss these bodies.
Meaning: a celestial body, generally with a tail (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so it is used with the feminine article la (e.g., la comète).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /kɔ.mɛt/.
When do people say it?
When capitalized as Comète, the word refers to Comet, one of Santa Claus's reindeer in French culture.
Did you know?
- The word comète shares its root with the Greek word for 'long-haired', which describes the appearance of a comet's tail. This etymological connection highlights how ancient astronomers perceived these celestial bodies.
- In French literature, the term comète is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a person who appears suddenly and brilliantly before disappearing. This mirrors the fleeting nature of the celestial phenomenon.
- In French folklore and early literature, the appearance of a comète was often viewed as a herald of great change or disaster.
Examples in context
- C'est comme cela qu'il a découvert la comète.That's how he discovered the comet.This sentence shows how someone might discover a comète.Tatoeba #1369592 by slegros, translation #51202 by CM
- Ne confonds pas les comètes et les astéroïdes.Don't confuse a comet with an asteroid.This sentence is useful for illustrating the distinction between a comète and an asteroid.Tatoeba #975192 by sacredceltic, translation #6571380 by CarpeLanam
- Rosetta tentera de se poser sur une comète dans quelques heures.Rosetta will try to land on a comet in a few hours.This sentence describes a mission attempting to land on a comète.Tatoeba #3629374 by sacredceltic, translation #3625153 by Hybrid
- As-tu vu la comète hier soir ? Elle était magnifique !Did you see the comet last night? It was magnificent!
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are looking through a telescope in a garden.
- ChloéRegarde, Gabriel, je vois une comète !Look, Gabriel, I see a comet!
- GabrielC'est impressionnant, elle brille vraiment beaucoup.It is impressive, it really shines a lot.
- ChloéEst-ce que tu peux la prendre en photo ?Can you take a photo of it?
- GabrielOui, je vais essayer avec mon appareil.Yes, I will try with my camera.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “comet” translations and entries comète, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comète, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
