cahier
/ka.je/masculine
The English phrase 'exercise book' in French is cahier. Wiktionary also lists cahier d'exercices.
Meaning: booklet for students (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cahier | /ka.je/ | masculine |
| cahier d'exercices | masculine |
cahier is a masculine noun. When you specifically mean an exercise book or a workbook, you can use un cahier d'exercices.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cahier d'exercices literally means 'book of exercises', composed of cahier (notebook), d' (of) and exercices (exercises).
Which one should you use?
While cahier d'exercices specifically refers to a workbook or an exercise book, the term cahier is the more general term for any notebook used for writing or taking notes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, cahier d'activités may be used instead of cahier d'exercices for exercise book.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the noun cahier plural, add an 's' to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
/ka.je/
Did you know?
- In French, the term cahier is used in a political context as a cahier de doléances. This refers to a 'notebook of grievances' historically presented to the King of France.
- The word cahier is a linguistic relative of the word 'quarter', both stemming from the Latin 'quaternus' meaning 'four'. This connection refers to the ancient practice of folding sheets into four leaves to make a small book.
- The word cahier is a linguistic sibling to caserne, the French word for 'barracks', as both evolved from the same Latin root.
Examples in context
- Le cahier n'est pas à toi, c'est le sien.The exercise book isn't yours, it's his.This sentence is useful for identifying ownership of a cahier.Tatoeba #452034 by sacredceltic, translation #11894919 by sundown
- Le cahier ne t'appartient pas, il lui appartient.The exercise book doesn't belong to you, it belongs to him.This sentence is useful for showing that a cahier belongs to someone else.Tatoeba #452036 by sacredceltic, translation #11894921 by sundown
- J'ai acheté un nouveau cahier pour l'école.I bought a new exercise book for school.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are in a classroom before a lesson starts.
- HugoChloé, as-tu vu mon cahier ?Chloé, have you seen my exercise book?
- ChloéNon, Hugo, je ne l'ai pas vu.No, Hugo, I haven't seen it.
- HugoC'est étrange, il était sur mon bureau.That's strange, it was on my desk.
- ChloéRegarde sous ta chaise, peut-être qu'il est là.Look under your chair, maybe it is there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exercise book” translations and entries cahier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cahier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
