imprimante
/ɛ̃.pʁi.mɑ̃t/
The English phrase "computer printer" is imprimante in French.
The term refers to a machine that prints text or images from a computer onto paper.
Which one should you use?
To specify the type of printer, such as a laser printer, you add the type after the word imprimante, for example imprimante laser.
How does it change in a sentence?
imprimante is a feminine noun. When using the indefinite article for "a printer," use the feminine article une, as in une imprimante.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /ɛ̃.pʁi.mɑ̃t/.
Did you know?
- The root of imprimante comes from the Latin imprimere, meaning 'to press into'. This is why French retains a strong linguistic link between the computer printer and the physical act of pressing a stamp into wax.
- The noun impression describes both the technical act of printing a document and the abstract psychological 'impression' you make on someone.
- In a French office, you might hear colleagues use the English acronym MFP to describe an 'all-in-one' printer, despite the existence of the much longer French term imprimante multifonction.
Examples in context
- Je dois acheter une nouvelle imprimante pour mon bureau.I need to buy a new computer printer for my office.
- Je viens d'acheter une imprimante multifonction qui peut également scanner et copier des documents.I just bought a multifunction printer that can also scan and copy documents.
- L'imprimante est en panne.The printer is broken.
- Où est l'imprimante de bureau ?Where is the office printer?
- Je dois acheter une nouvelle imprimante.I need to buy a new printer.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are working in a home office.
- LéaEst-ce que l'imprimante fonctionne ?Does the printer work?
- HugoNon, elle a besoin de papier.No, it needs paper.
- LéaHugo, peux-tu chercher du papier ?Hugo, can you look for some paper?
- HugoOui, je le fais tout de suite.Yes, I'll do it right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry imprimante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
