graffiti
/ɡʁa.fi.ti/masculine
The English word 'graffiti' is translated into French as graffiti. Wiktionary also lists graff.
Meaning: drawings on a public surface (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| graffiti | /ɡʁa.fi.ti/ | masculine |
| graff | masculine |
The term refers to drawings on a public surface.
Which one should you use?
The form graff is a shortened version of the word. While both are masculine nouns, graff is used in more casual settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form graff is used in informal or colloquial contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Although the word is borrowed from Italian, in French it follows standard noun declension and takes an s in its plural form graffitis.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡʁa.fi.ti/
Did you know?
- French speakers often use the verb taguer to describe the act of creating graffiti, which is a direct loan from the English word 'tag'.
- A French speaker might use the verb graffer to describe the actual act of spraying or drawing on a surface, turning the noun into a functional verb.
- In French urban culture, the word graffeur is used to describe the person who creates the art, a term that carries a specific social identity different from the English 'graffiti artist'.
Examples in context
- Le mur est couvert de graffitis.The wall is covered with graffiti.This sentence shows how to describe a wall covered in graffiti.Tatoeba #1088813 by sacredceltic, translation #1086389 by shanghainese
- Les murs étaient couverts de graffitis.The walls were covered with graffiti.This sentence provides a past tense example of walls covered in graffiti.Tatoeba #1476693 by sacredceltic, translation #1476202 by Spamster
- Vous devez nettoyer les graffitis qui sont sur le mur.You must wash the graffiti off the wall.This sentence is useful for expressing the need to clean graffiti off a wall.Tatoeba #11701405 by lbdx, translation #7820014 by sharris123
- J'admire les graffitis colorés sur ce mur.I admire the colorful graffiti on this wall.
- Le graf est devenu une véritable forme d'art dans cette ville.Graffiti has become a true art form in this city.
- Les tags des artistes locaux décorent les ruelles du quartier.The tags of local artists decorate the alleys of the neighborhood.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are walking through the city center.
- ChloéRegarde ce graffiti sur le bâtiment !Look at that graffiti on the building!
- HugoC'est vraiment très coloré et joli.It is really very colorful and pretty.
- ChloéTu penses que c'est un graffiti légal ?Do you think it is a legal graffiti?
- HugoJe ne sais pas, Hugo ne sait pas non plus.I don't know, Hugo doesn't know either.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “graffiti” translations and entries graffiti, graff, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
