récolter
/ʁe.kɔl.te/
The English verb 'harvest' can be translated into French using récolter. Wiktionary also lists moissonner and recueillir.
Meaning: to bring in a harvest, reap (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| récolter | /ʁe.kɔl.te/ |
| moissonner | /mwa.sɔ.ne/ |
| recueillir | /ʁə.kœ.jiʁ/ |
récolter is the most versatile verb for harvesting. It can be used for crops, fruits or even collecting data/information in a general sense. You can also use the phrase récolter les fruits to express harvesting fruit.
Which one should you use?
moissonner is used specifically for harvesting cereal crops like wheat or barley, whereas récolter is more general. recueillir is used for harvesting in a figurative sense, such as gathering information, votes or results.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Cueillette is commonly used to describe the act of picking fruits.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun for harvest is the feminine noun récolte, whereas the verb is récolter.
How do you pronounce it?
récolter is pronounced /ʁe.kɔl.te/ and has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word récolter is not originally French but was borrowed from the Italian word ricolta.
- The verb recueillir is used for harvesting votes or data, but it also means to take in a stray animal or provide shelter to a refugee.
- The word moisson is etymologically linked to the concept of 'mowing', which is why the verb moissonner feels very specific to cereal grains.
Examples in context
- Toute la famille a aidé à récolter le blé.The whole family helped harvest the wheat.This sentence uses récolter to show a family helping with a harvest.Tatoeba #9362885 by ejoanis, translation #329034 by fcbond
- Il faut semer pour recueillir.To harvest, you must first sow seeds.This sentence uses recueillir in a figurative context regarding sowing and gathering.Tatoeba #6848028 by Adelpa, translation #12268619 by Miktsoanit
- Quand allez-vous moissonner les blés ?When will you harvest your wheat?This sentence uses moissonner to ask about harvesting wheat.Tatoeba #387935 by hortusdei, translation #65993 by CK
- La récolte annuelle de raisins a été exceptionnelle cette année.The annual grape harvest has been exceptional this year.
- Pour réussir la moisson, il est crucial d'avoir des machines agricoles performantes.To succeed in the harvest, it is crucial to have efficient farming machinery.
- On devrait bientôt commencer la récolte des tomates dans notre jardin.We should start the tomato harvest soon in our garden.
- La récolte de pêches cette année n'est pas aussi abondante que l'an dernier.The peach harvest this year is not as abundant as last year.
- Allons faire la cueillette des pommes ce weekend!Let's go apple picking this weekend!
- Le temps de la cueillette des baies sauvages est arrivé.The time for picking wild berries has come.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are working in their vegetable garden.
- HugoOn doit récolter les tomates aujourd'hui.We must harvest the tomatoes today.
- ManonTu as raison, Hugo, elles sont très mûres.You are right, Hugo, they are very ripe.
- HugoJe vais chercher les paniers dans la cuisine.I will go get the baskets from the kitchen.
- ManonD'accord, je commence à récolter les courgettes.Okay, I'll start harvesting the zucchinis.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “harvest” translations and entries récolter, moissonner, recueillir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moissonner, recueillir, récolter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
