feu vert
/fø vɛʁ/masculine
The English phrase 'green light' translates to French as feu vert.
feu vert is used to mean permission. Just like in English, it is most commonly used with the verb donner (to give) to indicate granting permission for a project or action to proceed, such as in the phrase donner le feu vert.
Meaning: permission (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of 'green light'. Here, feu means 'fire' or 'light' (in the context of a traffic signal) and vert means 'green'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun feu is masculine. Therefore, the definite article used is le and the adjective vert remains in its masculine form, as seen in le feu vert.
How do you pronounce it?
/fø vɛʁ/
Did you know?
- If you are talking about a person who has passed away, the adjective feu (meaning 'the late') is used before the name, which is unrelated to the 'green light' of a traffic signal.
- While feu vert means 'permission', the opposite feu rouge is not only a 'stop' signal but can also be used figuratively to describe a total prohibition or a dead end in negotiations.
- While feu means 'light' in feu vert, its root is the Latin word for 'hearth'. This is why feu is also the standard French word for 'fire'.
Examples in context
- donner le feu vertTo give the green lightThis example shows how to use the phrase with the verb to give.
- Le feu vert, ça veut dire qu'on peut y aller.The green light means we can go.This example explains the meaning of the green light.Tatoeba #13394099 by menaud, translation #13394103 by menaud
- J'ai reçu le feu vert pour lancer le projetI received the green light to start the project
- C'est bon, j'ai le feu au vertIt's good, I have the green light
- Oui, on a le feu au vert!Yes, we have the green light!
- J'attends le feu vert de mon patron.I am waiting for the green light from my boss.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are discussing a new project at work.
- HugoEst-ce que Chloé a le feu vert pour le projet ?Does Chloé have the green light for the project?
- ChloéNon, nous attendons encore la réponse du client.No, we are still waiting for the client's response.
- HugoDès qu'elle aura le feu vert, elle commencera.As soon as she has the green light, she will start.
- ChloéC'est vrai, elle est très motivée.That's true, she is very motivated.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “green light” translations and entries feu vert, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries feu, vert, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
