gin
/dʒin/masculine
In French, gin is said as gin.
gin refers to the alcoholic spirit. When ordering the specific cocktail, French speakers commonly use the phrase un gin tonic, omitting the word 'and' found in English.
Meaning: alcoholic beverage (noun)
Which one should you use?
While gin is the standard term, Le genièvre can be used when referring to the spirit in more formal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun gin is masculine. When referring to the spirit itself, it is preceded by the masculine article le, as in le gin.
How do you pronounce it?
/dʒin/
Did you know?
- The word gin was borrowed from English into French, whereas the English word 'gin' was originally a shortening of the Dutch word 'genever'.
- While gin is the common term, the formal word genièvre is a cognate of the English word 'juniper', which is the berry that gives the spirit its flavor.
- In French culinary contexts, the word genièvre is also used to describe the actual juniper berries used as a spice in cooking, not just the alcoholic drink.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais un gin tonic.I'd like a gin and tonic.This sentence shows how to order a gin and tonic using the phrase gin.Tatoeba #7793283 by Aiji, translation #52483 by CK
- «Quel est votre poison ?» «Oh, mettez-moi un gin-tonic.»"What's your poison?" "Oh, give me a gin and tonic."This sentence illustrates a conversational way to order a gin and tonic using gin.Tatoeba #816638 by sacredceltic, translation #612272 by darinmex
- Gin n'est pas mon ami.Gin is not my friend.Tatoeba #1077187 by alexmarcelo, translation #1077182 by Zaphod
- Tu veux boire un gin-tonic avec moi?Would you like to have a gin and tonic with me?
- Le gin est ma boisson préférée.Gin is my favorite drink.
- Quel est ton gin préféré?What is your favorite gin?
- J'adore les cocktails à base de gin.I love gin-based cocktails.
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are ordering drinks at a bar.
- NathanJe vais prendre un gin avec du tonic.I'll have a gin with tonic.
- LéaMoi aussi, je commande un gin.Me too, I'm ordering a gin.
- NathanEst-ce que ce gin est artisanal ?Is this gin craft-made?
- LéaOui, c'est un gin local, Léa.Yes, it's a local gin, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gin” translations and entries gin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
