How to Say "Drums" in French - How To Say Guide

batterie

/ba.tʁi/

The English phrase drums is translated into French as batterie.

The word batterie specifically refers to the drum kit (the set of drums and cymbals) rather than just the percussion instruments in general.

Which one should you use?

While batterie refers to a full drum kit, tambour refers to a single individual drum.

In Quebec (Canada), the term kit de drums is commonly used.

The word is pronounced /ba.tʁi/ and has 2 syllables.

The term batterie de percussions can be used to emphasize the percussion aspect of drums.

The word batterie historically referred to a group of artillery cannons firing together. The transition to drums happened because both involve a loud, rhythmic series of hits.
If you ask for 'une batterie' in a kitchen, you might be handed a set of cooking pots or a collection of kitchen tools rather than musical instruments.
A drummer is called un batteur (masculine) or une batteuse (feminine), which relates back to the action of hitting the instrument.

Tom joue de la batterie.
Tom plays the drums.
Tatoeba #6821301 by Rockaround, translation #2548081 by CK
Sais-tu jouer de la batterie ?
Can you play the drums?
Tatoeba #5959458 by Aiji, translation #4087658 by CK
J'ai arrêté de jouer de la batterie.
I quit playing the drums.
Tatoeba #3448695 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #1626691 by AlanF_US
Le batteur joue de la batterie avec passion.
The drummer plays the drums with passion.
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Lucas and Léa are in a music shop.

Lucas

Regarde cette belle batterie, Léa.
Look at this beautiful drum kit, Léa.
Léa

Elle est magnifique, mais elle est chère.
It is magnificent, but it is expensive.
Lucas

Est-ce que tu veux l'essayer ?
Do you want to try it?
Léa

Oui, je vais tester la batterie.
Yes, I am going to test the drums.

Sources

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