conduite
/kɔ̃.dɥit/feminine
The English phrase "driving" can be translated into French as conduite.
conduite is a feminine noun used to describe the action of operating a motor vehicle. It is used in compound nouns, such as école de conduite (driving school) or examen de conduite (driving test).
Meaning: action of operating a motor vehicle (noun)
Which one should you use?
While conduite refers to the act or skill of driving, the verb conduire is used to describe the action of driving a vehicle.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
conduite is pronounced /kɔ̃.dɥit/ and has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the word conduite also refers to the physical piping or conduits used to transport water, gas or electricity.
- Beyond driving a car, conduite describes a person's behavior or conduct. If someone is praised for their bonne conduite, it means they have behaved properly and ethically.
- If you are talking about the 'driving force' of a project or an idea, French uses moteur instead of using a word related to conduite.
Examples in context
- Je vais à une école de conduite.I go to a driving school.This sentence is useful for mentioning a driving school using conduite.Tatoeba #12940 by mouche, translation #36963 by CK
- Tom a raté son examen de conduite.Tom failed to pass his driving test.This sentence is useful for mentioning a driving test using conduite.Tatoeba #5788276 by Aiji, translation #3171577 by CK
- Tu n'as aucune expérience de la conduite.You have no driving experience.This sentence is useful for discussing driving experience using conduite.Tatoeba #1080045 by sacredceltic, translation #1079969 by al_ex_an_der
- La conduite automobile est une compétence essentielle pour tous les conducteurs.Driving is an essential skill for all drivers.
- Au Québec, on aime beaucoup conduire un char lors des belles journées d'été.In Québec, we love driving a car on beautiful summer days.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are talking about their travel plans.
- ChloéTu aimes la conduite nocturne ?Do you like night driving?
- NathanNon, je préfère conduire le jour.No, I prefer driving during the day.
- ChloéMoi aussi, la conduite est plus sûre.Me too, driving is safer.
- NathanOn partira donc demain matin, Chloé.We will leave tomorrow morning then, Chloé.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “driving” translations and entries conduite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
