boussole
/bu.sɔl/feminine
The English word compass is translated into French as boussole.
boussole refers to an instrument used to determine cardinal directions.
Meaning: instrument to determine cardinal directions (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
boussole is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /bu.sɔl/. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- While a magnetic compass is a boussole, the tool used to draw circles in geometry is called a compas.
- In French, if you are lost without direction, you might say you have 'perdu le nord', which literally means 'lost the north'.
- The word boussole is borrowed from the Italian word bùssola.
Examples in context
- Je vais regarder sur la boussole.I'll look at the compass.This sentence shows how to use boussole when talking about looking at the instrument.Tatoeba #8328481 by Julien_PDC, translation #12639027 by menaud
- L'aiguille d'une boussole indique le Nord.The needle of a compass marks North.This sentence describes the function of the needle within a boussole.Tatoeba #1701876 by Christophe, translation #7823309 by eggershead
- Yanni avait une très bonne boussole morale.Yanni had a very good moral compass.This sentence demonstrates the figurative use of boussole in the phrase 'moral compass'.Tatoeba #11840218 by Amastan, translation #9663290 by Amastan
- J'utilise ma boussole pour me diriger dans la forêtI use my compass to navigate through the forest
- J'ai acheté un compas pour mon voyageI bought a compass for my trip
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are hiking in the forest.
- EmmaOù est ta boussole, Hugo ?Where is your compass, Hugo?
- HugoElle est dans mon sac à dos.It is in my backpack.
- EmmaPeux-tu vérifier notre direction avec la boussole ?Can you check our direction with the compass?
- HugoOui, nous devons aller vers le nord.Yes, we must go towards the north.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “compass” translations and entries boussole, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boussole, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
