dauphin
/do.fɛ̃/masculine
The French word for dolphin is dauphin.
The word refers to the aquatic mammal.
Meaning: aquatic mammal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
dauphin is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/do.fɛ̃/ (2 syllables)
When do people say it?
Historically, the title le Dauphin was used to refer to the heir apparent to the French throne.
Did you know?
- In modern French, using le dauphin in a corporate context often implies a person who is being groomed for a CEO position.
- In French political discourse, a dauphin can refer to a handpicked successor to a leader, even if no royalty or animals are involved.
- Before it was a title for the French royal heir, the term Dauphin was used to describe the rulers of the region of Viennois.
Examples in context
- Le dauphin est un mammifère.A dolphin is a mammal.This sentence is useful for identifying a dolphin as a mammal.Tatoeba #10729 by Archibald, translation #65812 by CK
- Ce que tu as vu était un dauphin.What you saw was a dolphin.This sentence is useful for describing something that was seen.Tatoeba #8185511 by Aiji, translation #873125 by CK
- Si j'étais un animal, je serais un dauphin.If I were an animal, I'd be a dolphin.This sentence is useful for expressing a hypothetical situation involving an animal.Tatoeba #6822123 by Yemana, translation #2936449 by AlanF_US
- Dans l'océan Atlantique, nous pouvons observer de nombreux dauphins.In the Atlantic Ocean, we can observe many dolphins.
- Les enfants adorent regarder les dauphins danser dans l'eau.Children love watching dolphins dance in the water.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are visiting a marine park.
- ManonRegarde, Hugo ! C'est un dauphin !Look, Hugo! It's a dolphin!
- HugoIl est vraiment impressionnant, n'est-ce pas ?He is really impressive, isn't he?
- ManonOui, le dauphin nage très vite.Yes, the dolphin swims very fast.
- HugoC'est mon animal préféré.It's my favorite animal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dolphin” translations and entries dauphin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dauphin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
