point
/pwɛ̃/
The English word "dot" can be translated into French as point.
The word point refers to a small round mark used as a punctuation sign or a symbol in a web address, such as in google.com.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often use the word "dot" when reciting web addresses, French speakers use point.
How do you pronounce it?
/pwɛ̃/
Did you know?
- In a mathematical context, a French speaker refers to a 'decimal point' as virgule, which literally means 'comma'.
- The French word point is also used as a negation particle in formal or archaic speech, meaning 'not at all' or 'at all'.
- The Latin root of point, pūnctum, is the ancestor of the English word 'punctual', which describes being on time.
Examples in context
- Pour passer d'une phrase à l'autre, Tom tendait son bras. Mary le saisissait fermement et sautait par-dessus le point en évitant de tomber dans l'espace.In order to cross from one sentence to the other, Tom was stretching out his arm. Mary clung firmly onto it and jumped over the dot, avoiding to fall into the space.This sentence is useful for seeing how point is used when referring to jumping over a dot.Tatoeba #1077425 by sacredceltic, translation #1077430 by sacredceltic
- Marie a dessiné une fleur avec des petits points.Marie drew a flower with dots.
- Il y a un point après son nom.There is a dot after his name.
- N'oublie pas le point dans l'adresse web.Don't forget the dot in the web address.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are checking a website URL on a laptop.
- LéaTu as bien écrit l'adresse ?Did you write the address correctly?
- HugoPresque, il manque un point entre les mots.Almost, a dot is missing between the words.
- LéaAh, je le vois maintenant, merci Hugo.Ah, I see it now, thanks Hugo.
- HugoDe rien, Léa.You're welcome, Léa.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry point, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries point, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
