grue
/ɡʁy/feminine
The English word crane translates to grue in French.
grue is used to refer to machinery, specifically a construction crane.
Meaning: machinery (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun grue is feminine, so you must use feminine articles like la or une.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡʁy/
Did you know?
- In old French literature, the grue was often used as a symbol of vigilance because of the bird's habit of standing guard while the flock sleeps.
- The French word grue shares a distant root with the English word 'crane' through the same Proto-Indo-European ancestor, making them cognates.
- The sound of grue is produced using the French u sound, which does not exist in English and requires rounding the lips while saying 'ee'.
Examples in context
- La grue est un échassier.The crane is a wading bird.This sentence is useful for identifying the bird as a wading bird using grue.Tatoeba #8413857 by lbdx, translation #6783011 by CataG
- La grue se tenait sur une patte.The crane was standing on one leg.This sentence is useful for describing the bird standing on one leg using grue.Tatoeba #4956989 by sacredceltic, translation #44971 by orcrist
- Une grue est un grand et bel oiseau.A crane is a big, beautiful bird.This sentence is useful for describing the crane as a big and beautiful bird using grue.Tatoeba #10977211 by Aiji, translation #5105561 by AlanF_US
- La grue est un oiseau majestueux.The crane is a majestic bird.
- J'ai eu la chance d'observer une cigogne au milieu des champs.I was lucky to spot a crane in the middle of the fields.
- J'ai vu une grue cendrée dans la réserve naturelle.I saw a gray crane in the nature reserve.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are walking past a construction site.
- LucasRegarde cette immense grue, Léa.Look at that huge crane, Léa.
- LéaElle est impressionnante, n'est-ce pas ?It is impressive, isn't it?
- LucasOui, elle travaille très haut.Yes, it is working very high up.
- LéaC'est un travail dangereux pour le conducteur.It is dangerous work for the operator.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crane” translations and entries grue, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
