sauterelle
The English word grasshopper is translated into French as sauterelle.
sauterelle is the most common and generic way to say grasshopper in French.
Meaning: an insect of the suborder Caelifera (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word sauterelle is a diminutive form of the verb sauter, which means to jump, literally translating to "little jumper".
Which one should you use?
While sauterelle is the general term for a grasshopper, the word criquet is often used specifically to refer to locusts or larger species of grasshoppers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of sauterelle is sauterelles.
Did you know?
- The word sauterelle shares a linguistic root with the word saut, which means 'jump', but it also relates to the word sauterelle used in old weaving terminology for a specific type of shuttle.
- While sauterelle is a generic term, French speakers use the term criquet pèlerin specifically for the desert locust that causes agricultural plagues.
- The term criquet is derived from the French word crier, meaning 'to scream' or 'to shout'.
Examples in context
- Ce n'est pas un grillon, c'est une sauterelle.That's not a cricket, that's a grasshopper.This sentence is useful for distinguishing a grasshopper from a cricket using sauterelle.Tatoeba #10354452 by lbdx, translation #10345160 by sundown
- Ce n'est pas une sauterelle, c'est un criquet !That's not a grasshopper. It's a locust!This sentence is useful for distinguishing a grasshopper from a locust using sauterelle.Tatoeba #484072 by sacredceltic, translation #448219 by FeuDRenais
- L'observation de la sauterelle nous a permis de mieux comprendre son comportement.Observing the grasshopper allowed us to better understand its behavior.
- Regarde, un cri-cri ! Il est vraiment mignon.Look, a grasshopper! It's really cute.
- Regarde cette sauterelle verte sur la feuille.Look at this green grasshopper on the leaf.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are walking in a garden.
- NathanTiens, regarde la sauterelle près de toi !Look, there is a grasshopper near you!
- EmmaOh, elle est vraiment très rapide.Oh, it is really very fast.
- NathanElle saute sur les fleurs maintenant.It is jumping on the flowers now.
- EmmaC'est un insecte très mignon.It is a very cute insect.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
