couvre-feu
/ku.vʁə.fø/masculine
The English word 'curfew' is translated into French as couvre-feu.
A curfew is a regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time.
Meaning: regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of couvre, meaning 'covers' and feu, meaning 'fire'.
How does it change in a sentence?
couvre-feu is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ku.vʁə.fø/
Did you know?
- In medieval France, couvre-feu was not a legal restriction on movement but a literal order to cover the 'fire' in the hearth to prevent house fires while people slept.
- During the 17th century, the couvre-feu was signaled by the ringing of a church bell, which acted as the official alarm for citizens to extinguish their flames.
- In a military context, a French soldier might use the term extinction des feux to refer to the moment lights must be turned off in the barracks.
Examples in context
- David a un couvre-feu.David has a curfew.This sentence is useful for stating that someone has a curfew.Tatoeba #11504384 by Amastan, translation #11503707 by Amastan
- Y a-t-il un couvre-feu ?Is there a curfew?This sentence is useful for asking if a curfew is in place.Tatoeba #1696403 by sacredceltic, translation #323939 by CK
- Je n'ai pas de couvre-feu.I don't have a curfew.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not have a curfew.Tatoeba #2421308 by sacredceltic, translation #2276018 by CK
- Le couvre-feu commence à 21 heures.The curfew starts at 9 pm.
- L'interdiction de circuler s'applique de minuit à six heures du matin.The curfew applies from midnight to 6 am.
- La limitation des déplacements est en vigueur jusqu'à nouvel ordre.The curfew is in effect until further notice.
- Le couvre-feu est à 22 heures, mais on peut toujours se retrouver avant.The curfew is at 10 pm, but we can still meet up before that.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are talking about city restrictions.
- EmmaLe gouvernement a instauré un couvre-feu.The government has established a curfew.
- GabrielÀ quelle heure commence le couvre-feu ?What time does the curfew start?
- EmmaIl commence à vingt heures ce soir.It starts at 8 p.m. tonight.
- GabrielJe dois rentrer avant le couvre-feu alors.I have to go home before the curfew then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “curfew” translations and entries couvre-feu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
