récipient
/ʁe.si.pjɑ̃/masculine
The English word container can be translated into French as récipient or contenant.
Meaning: an item in which objects, materials or data can be stored or transported (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| récipient | /ʁe.si.pjɑ̃/ | masculine |
| contenant | /kɔ̃t.nɑ̃/ | masculine |
A container is an item in which objects, materials or data can be stored or transported.
Which one should you use?
récipient is the most common word for a physical vessel or container used in everyday contexts, such as kitchenware or laboratory vessels. In contrast, contenant is a more technical or formal term often used in logistics, packaging or to describe the relationship between a container and its contents.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of récipient, add an 's' to the end to get récipients. To form the plural of contenant, add an 's' to the end to get contenants.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁe.si.pjɑ̃/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In logistics and shipping, the French term for a large metal shipping container is often simply 'un container', an anglicism used by professionals.
- The English word 'recipient' and the French word récipient share the same Latin root, meaning 'one who catches or receives'.
- In French, the word contenant is often used in the legal or philosophical principle of 'le contenant et le contenu', which discusses how the vessel shapes the nature of what is held inside.
Examples in context
- Il a vidé le contenant de son contenu.He emptied the container of its contents.This sentence shows how to use contenant to describe the relationship between a container and its contents.Tatoeba #11703887 by lbdx, translation #304509 by CK
- Les outils se trouvent dans le récipient.The tools are in the container.Tatoeba #1121453 by sacredceltic, translation #1121409 by cntrational
- Je vous avertis : dans ce récipient se trouve une substance dangereuse.I'm warning you. In this container, there's a dangerous substance.Tatoeba #2444615 by Rovo, translation #12835875 by rul
- L'échantillon doit être placé dans un réceptacle hermétique.The sample must be placed in an airtight container.
- Merci de bien vouloir placer les déchets dans le récipient prévu à cet effet.Please kindly place the waste in the designated container.
- Tu peux trouver des bocaux en verre dans cette section du supermarché.You can find glass jars in this section of the supermarket.
- J'ai besoin d'une boîte pour ranger mes bijoux.I need a container to organize my jewelry.
- Il range ses crayons dans un pot en plastique.He keeps his pencils in a plastic container.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are in the kitchen cleaning up after a meal.
- LucasTu as trouvé un récipient pour les restes ?Did you find a container for the leftovers?
- ManonOui, il y en a un dans le placard.Yes, there is one in the cupboard.
- LucasEst-ce que ce récipient est propre ?Is this container clean?
- ManonOui, je viens de le laver.Yes, I just washed it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “container” translations and entries récipient, contenant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries récipient, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
