sortie
/sɔʁ.ti/feminine
The French word for 'exit' is sortie. Wiktionary also lists issue.
Meaning: way out (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sortie | /sɔʁ.ti/ | feminine |
| issue | /i.sy/ | feminine |
In French, 'exit' can be translated using two different nouns depending on the context. The related verb sortir means to go out or go away from a place or situation.
Which one should you use?
The word sortie is used for a physical exit, such as a door, an exit sign in a building or a highway. The word issue refers to an exit or an outcome.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both sortie and issue are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɔʁ.ti/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistake the French word issue for the English word 'issue' (meaning a problem or topic). However, in French, issue primarily means an exit or an outcome.
Did you know?
- The verb sortir can be used with two different auxiliary verbs in the past tense. Using être implies physically leaving a place, while avoir implies taking something out, like the trash.
- In military history, a sortie referred to a sudden attack made by troops exiting a besieged fortress to disrupt the enemy.
- In many French-speaking contexts, a 'sortie' can also refer to a 'going out' in a social sense, like a night out on the town.
Examples in context
- Où est la sortie ?Where is the exit?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of a sortie.Tatoeba #882364 by sacredceltic, translation #687648 by lukaszpp
- Il n'y a pas d'issue.There's no exit.This sentence is useful for stating that there is no issue.Tatoeba #1107968 by sacredceltic, translation #3426401 by CK
- La sortie est à gauche.The exit is on the left.This sentence is useful for describing the direction of a sortie.Tatoeba #8619536 by felix63, translation #8618987 by CK
- Excusez-moi, où est la sortie s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, where is the exit please?
- La porte de sortie se trouve à votre gauche.The exit door is on your left.
- Au cas où, n'oublie pas où se trouve la sortie de secours .Just in case, don't forget where the emergency exit is.
- Où est la sortie de la gare s'il vous plaît?Where is the station exit, please?
- La sortie est à votre droite.The exit is on your right.
- Je ne trouve pas la sortie de secours .I can't find the emergency exit.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are leaving a movie theater.
- LucasJe ne trouve pas la sortie.I cannot find the exit.
- LéaRegarde, la sortie est juste là.Look, the exit is right there.
- LucasMerci, Léa.Thank you, Léa.
- LéaDe rien, Lucas.You're welcome, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exit” translations and entries sortie, issue, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
