montgolfière
/mɔ̃.ɡɔl.fjɛʁ/
The English phrase "hot air balloon" is montgolfière in French.
A montgolfière is a large balloon filled with heated air that carries people in a basket for flight. When you want to describe the act of riding in one, you use the expression voler en montgolfière.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is an eponym derived from the Montgolfier brothers, who invented the hot air balloon.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so the indefinite article used for a hot air balloon is une.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mɔ̃.ɡɔl.fjɛʁ/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The first montgolfière flight in 1783 carried a sheep, a duck and a rooster instead of humans.
- French distinguishes between a montgolfière and a ballon à gaz, as the latter refers specifically to gas-filled balloons.
- The term montgolfière was adopted so rapidly in the 18th century that it appeared in several other European languages before the technology had even spread outside of France.
Examples in context
- Avez-vous déjà volé en montgolfière ?Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever experienced a flight in a montgolfière.Tatoeba #375938 by zmoo, translation #282121 by mamat
- Notre montgolfière s'est élevée dans le ciel.Our hot-air balloon rose into the sky.This sentence shows how to describe a montgolfière rising into the sky.Tatoeba #10932928 by lbdx, translation #681949 by Source_VOA
- Tout le monde dans le parc leva les yeux vers la montgolfière.Everybody in the park looked up at the hot air balloon.This sentence illustrates people looking up at a montgolfière in a park.Tatoeba #1395130 by sacredceltic, translation #953261 by CK
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are watching the sunrise from a balcony.
- GabrielRegarde cette magnifique montgolfière dans le ciel !Look at that magnificent hot air balloon in the sky!
- LéaElle est vraiment très colorée, n'est-ce pas ?It is really very colorful, isn't it?
- GabrielOui, j'aimerais beaucoup faire un tour en montgolfière.Yes, I would really like to go for a ride in a hot air balloon.
- LéaMoi aussi, ce serait une expérience incroyable.Me too, it would be an incredible experience.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry montgolfière, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
