cheval
/ʃə.val/feminine, masculine
The French word for horse is cheval. Wiktionary also lists étalon and jument.
Meaning: members of the species ''Equus ferus'' (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cheval | /ʃə.val/ /ʃval/ |
feminine, masculine |
| étalon | /e.ta.lɔ̃/ | masculine |
| jument | /ʒy.mɑ̃/ | feminine |
| poulain | /pu.lɛ̃/ | masculine |
| pouliche | /pu.liʃ/ | feminine |
cheval refers to members of the species Equus ferus.
Which one should you use?
While cheval is the general term for a horse, other forms are more specific: étalon refers to an uncastrated male horse (stallion), jument refers to a female horse (mare) and poulain refers to a young horse (foal/colt).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of cheval is chevaux.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃə.val/. The word has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, étalon is not only a word for a stallion but is also the technical term for a 'standard' used in measurement or calibration.
- In French, the phrase à cheval is used not just for riding a horse but to describe something that straddles two different categories or periods.
- French uses the word cheval in the expression mon cheval de bataille, which translates to 'my battle horse' but means one's favorite or most used argument.
Examples in context
- Tom a un cheval.Tom has a horse.This sentence is useful for showing possession with cheval.Tatoeba #3674686 by dafp, translation #2648945 by CK
- Le cheval a rué.The horse bucked.This sentence is useful for describing an action with cheval.Tatoeba #10699341 by lbdx, translation #7088538 by Hybrid
- Le cheval a soif.The horse is thirsty.This sentence is useful for describing a state with cheval.Tatoeba #1498195 by martin9, translation #2940767 by Hakaku
- 336 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are at a farm.
- HugoRegarde ce beau cheval, Manon.Look at this beautiful horse, Manon.
- ManonOui, il est magnifique, Hugo.Yes, he is magnificent, Hugo.
- HugoEst-ce que tu veux le nourrir ?Do you want to feed him?
- ManonNon, j'ai un peu peur.No, I am a little afraid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “horse” translations and entries cheval, étalon, jument, poulain, pouliche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
