énergie
/e.nɛʁ.ʒi/feminine
The English word "energy" is translated into French as énergie.
énergie is the most common and standard translation for the English word "energy", referring to the capacity to do work. Depending on the context, other terms may be more appropriate: force vitale is used in a philosophical or metaphysical sense to describe spiritual or life energy, while pêche is a slang term for vigor.
Meaning: capacity to do work (noun)
Which one should you use?
While énergie is the standard term, you might use force vitale for spiritual energy or the slang term pêche for general vigor.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Belgian French, the word peps is often used to refer to energy or zest.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun énergie is feminine, so it is used with feminine articles such as une or la.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /e.nɛʁ.ʒi/ and consists of 3 syllables.
When do people say it?
French speakers use several idiomatic expressions to describe having high energy. Avoir la pêche means to have a lot of energy or be in high spirits, while avoir la patate means to have a lot of energy or feel strong.
Did you know?
- If you tell a French person you have 'la patate', they will not think you are eating a potato, but rather that you feel incredibly energetic.
- The word énergie is a learned borrowing from the Latin energīa, which originally came from the Ancient Greek enérgeia.
- The phrase 'avoir la pêche' literally translates to 'to have the peach', used to describe being full of zest and energy.
Examples in context
- Je n'ai pas l'énergie.I don't have the energy.This sentence demonstrates the use of énergie to express a lack of energy.Tatoeba #2422003 by sacredceltic, translation #2276049 by CK
- Il est plein d'énergie.He is full of energy.This sentence shows how to describe someone being full of énergie.Tatoeba #336475 by sysko, translation #294885 by CK
- Quel gâchis d'énergie !What a waste of energy!This sentence expresses a reaction to a waste of énergie.Tatoeba #566913 by sacredceltic, translation #24947 by CK
- J'ai trop de pêche aujourd'hui, je suis prêt à relever tous les défis!I have so much energy today, I am ready to take on any challenge!
- Je suis complètement à plat aujourd'hui, je n'ai plus la patate du tout.I'm completely exhausted today, I have no energy at all.
- 165 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about their long day at work.
- EmmaJe n'ai plus aucune énergie ce soir.I have no energy left tonight.
- LucasMoi aussi, je suis vraiment épuisé.Me too, I am really exhausted.
- EmmaOn devrait économiser notre énergie pour demain.We should save our energy for tomorrow.
- LucasTu as raison, allons dormir, Emma.You are right, let's go to sleep, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “energy” translations and entries énergie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries énergie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
