Eiffel
/ɛ.fɛl/
Eiffel is the French name for the famous iron tower in Paris.
In common usage, it is almost always paired with the word for tower to form la tour Eiffel.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word tour is feminine, which is why the definite article la is used in the phrase la tour Eiffel. When using the name, the noun tour is typically placed before the proper name Eiffel.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɛ.fɛl/. It consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The name Eiffel is actually a German name, derived from the 'Eifel' mountain region in Germany.
- In the early days of its construction, many Parisians actually detested the name and the structure, calling it a 'giant metal asparagus'.
- While the monument is called la tour Eiffel, the engineer Gustave Eiffel also designed the internal framework for the Statue of Liberty.
Examples in context
- La Tour Eiffel est en acier.The Eiffel Tower is made of steel.This sentence is useful for describing the material of the Eiffel tower.Tatoeba #8794973 by felix63, translation #8796374 by carlosalberto
- Je n'ai jamais vu la tour Eiffel.I've never seen the Eiffel Tower.This sentence is useful for expressing whether one has seen the Eiffel tower.Tatoeba #4706454 by sicerabibax, translation #4708041 by adamtrousers
- La tour Eiffel est faite en acier.The Eiffel Tower's made of steel.This sentence is useful for stating that the Eiffel tower is made of steel.Tatoeba #12468725 by Rovo, translation #8796518 by shekitten
- La Tour Eiffel est un monument emblématique de Paris.The Eiffel Tower is an iconic monument in Paris.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are looking at a postcard of Paris.
- HugoEst-ce que tu aimes la tour Eiffel ?Do you like the Eiffel Tower?
- ChloéOui, elle est vraiment magnifique.Yes, it is truly magnificent.
- HugoOn pourrait la visiter un jour.We could visit it one day.
- ChloéC'est une excellente idée, Hugo.That is an excellent idea, Hugo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Eiffel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Eiffel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
