essence
/e.sɑ̃s/feminine
The French word for gasoline is essence. Wiktionary also lists gazoline.
Meaning: motor fuel (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| essence | /e.sɑ̃s/ /ɛ.sɑ̃s/ |
feminine |
| gazoline | /ɡa.zɔ.lin/ | feminine |
essence is the term used to describe motor fuel.
Which one should you use?
essence is the standard term for gasoline, while gazoline is another form provided.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Canada and some African countries, essence may be replaced with gas or gaz.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both essence and gazoline are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.sɑ̃s/
When do people say it?
essence is the most common word used in France and other French-speaking countries to describe gasoline.
Did you know?
- The term essence is derived from a Latin root meaning 'what is eaten', referring to the fuel as the 'food' the engine consumes.
- The word essence is used for both gasoline and the concentrated 'essence' of a perfume or plant.
- In France, if you ask for votre essence, you might be asking about someone's 'nature' or 'soul' rather than their car fuel.
Examples in context
- L'essence se vend au litre.Gasoline is sold by the liter.This sentence shows how gasoline is sold by the liter.Tatoeba #6587796 by Micsmithel, translation #63715 by CK
- L'essence ne fait qu'augmenter.Gasoline only gets dearer.This sentence illustrates that the price of gasoline is increasing.Tatoeba #2015063 by sacredceltic, translation #812102 by papabear
- L'essence est utilisée comme carburant.Gasoline is used for fuel.This sentence explains that gasoline is used as a fuel.Tatoeba #11435545 by lbdx, translation #63714 by CK
- Je dois faire le plein d'essence pour mon voyage.I need to fill up with gasoline for my trip.
- Le carburant est très cher en ce moment.Fuel is very expensive at the moment.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are in a car and notice the fuel gauge is low.
- HugoOn n'a presque plus d'essence.We have almost no gasoline left.
- LéaOù est la station la plus proche ?Where is the nearest station?
- HugoIl y en a une après le feu rouge.There is one after the traffic light.
- LéaD'accord, on va faire le plein d'essence.Okay, we will fill up on gasoline.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gasoline” translations and entries essence, gazoline, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries essence, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
