pistolet
/pis.tɔ.lɛ/masculine
The French word for gun is pistolet. Wiktionary also lists flingue.
Meaning: portable, short weapon, for hand use (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pistolet | /pis.tɔ.lɛ/ | masculine |
| flingue | colloquial |
In French, a gun refers to a portable, short weapon intended for hand use. The more general and formal term for any firearm is Arme à feu.
Which one should you use?
pistolet is the standard, more formal term for a handgun, whereas flingue is more slangy. Additionally, Arme à feu is a formal and neutral way to refer to a firearm.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pistolet is the standard and more formal term. In contrast, flingue is a colloquial and informal slang term for a gun or piece, often used in crime contexts or informal speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
flingue is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/pis.tɔ.lɛ/
Did you know?
- The word flingue can be used in the expression se faire flinguer, which literally means to get shot but is often used figuratively to mean getting harshly criticized.
- The word pistolet is derived from the Czech word píšťala, which means 'whistle'.
- The suffix -et in pistolet was originally a diminutive used to indicate that these weapons were smaller than the firearms of the time.
Examples in context
- J'ai volé un flingue.I stole a gun.This sentence is useful for describing the theft of a flingue.Tatoeba #7060866 by Aiji, translation #5853213 by CK
- Il n'a pas de flingue.He doesn't have a gun.This sentence is useful for stating that someone does not possess a flingue.Tatoeba #7098006 by Micsmithel, translation #3176257 by CH
- Le flingue est chargé.The gun is loaded.This sentence is useful for noting that a flingue is loaded.Tatoeba #10612549 by lbdx, translation #9178975 by CK
- Le policier a utilisé son pistolet pour défendre la victime.The police officer used his pistol to defend the victim.
- Ne laisse jamais personne toucher ton flingue.Never let anyone touch your gun.
- Papa part à la chasse avec son fusil.Dad is going hunting with his rifle.
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a scene in a crime movie.
- GabrielRegarde, il a un pistolet dans sa main.Look, he has a gun in his hand.
- EmmaC'est un pistolet très moderne.It is a very modern gun.
- GabrielEst-ce que le pistolet est chargé ?Is the gun loaded?
- EmmaJe ne sais pas, Emma ne le sait pas non plus.I don't know, Emma doesn't know either.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gun” translations and entries pistolet, flingue, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries flingue, pistolet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
