cube
/kyb/
The English word 'cube' is translated into French as cube.
The word refers to an object that is more or less in the form of a cube.
Meaning: object more or less in the form of a cube (noun)
Which one should you use?
In French, there is a strict distinction between dimensions: cube refers strictly to a 3D object, whereas carré refers to a 2D shape. This differs from English, where the terms are sometimes used loosely in casual speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of cube is cubes.
How do you pronounce it?
/kyb/
Did you know?
- In a French kitchen, an ice cube is called an un glaçon rather than un cube de glace, which would sound highly unnatural to a native speaker.
- In French culinary terms, a 'cube' of bouillon is called un cube de bouillon, but the act of cutting vegetables into small cubes is specifically called tailler en dés, meaning 'to cut into dice'.
- If you are playing a board game and need to roll a die, you would use the word dé rather than cube, despite a die being a physical cube.
Examples in context
- Le cube vert est lisse.The green cube is smooth.Tatoeba #8646399 by Aiji, translation #6030250 by AlanF_US
- Il y a un cube vert là-bas.There's a green cube standing there.Tatoeba #8983932 by Aiji, translation #6030252 by AlanF_US
- C'est un carré, pas un cube.It's a square, not a cube.Tatoeba #5701983 by Yemana, translation #5701844 by zumley
- Dans cette formule mathématique, nous utilisons un cube pour représenter le solide.In this mathematical formula, we use a cube to represent the solid.
- Ce jouet est en forme de cube.This toy is shaped like a cube.
- J'ai acheté des cubes de sucre pour le café.I bought some sugar cubes for the coffee.
- Le jeu de construction est composé de blocs cubiques.The construction set is made up of cubic blocks.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are organizing children's building blocks.
- EmmaHugo, où est le cube bleu ?Hugo, where is the blue cube?
- HugoJe le cherche, mais je ne vois qu'un cube rouge.I am looking for it, but I only see a red cube.
- EmmaRegarde, il est sous la chaise !Look, it is under the chair!
- HugoAh oui, merci Emma.Ah yes, thanks Emma.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cube, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
