canicule
/ka.ni.kyl/
The English phrase "hot weather" can be translated into French as canicule.
The term canicule refers specifically to a heatwave, which is a period of especially hot and sweltering weather that often lasts several days. To describe high temperatures, you can use the expression températures élevées. For a way to describe scorching temperatures, you may use chaleur intense.
How do you pronounce it?
The word canicule is pronounced /ka.ni.kyl/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word canicule is actually named after a star. It comes from the Latin Canicula, which refers to the 'Dog Star' Sirius, whose appearance in the sky was once thought to cause the intense summer heat.
- If you are feeling the heat, you might say you are en nage, which literally means 'in a swim'. It is a colorful way to say you are sweating profusely.
- In France, the arrival of a canicule often triggers the 'Plan Canicule', a government-mandated emergency system to protect elderly citizens.
Examples in context
- Les températures atteignent des niveaux de chaleur intense aujourd'hui.The temperatures are reaching levels of intense heat today.
- La région est en pleine canicule depuis plus d'une semaine.The region has been in a heatwave for over a week.
- Les températures atteignent des niveaux extrêmement élevés.The temperatures are reaching extremely high levels.
- Il fait chaud comme un four ici !It's as hot as an oven here!
- Sortir aujourd'hui ? Non merci, il fait une chaleur de fou !Go out today? No thanks, it's crazy hot!
- Je n'arrive pas à dormir, il fait une chaleur accablante cette nuit.I can't sleep, it's overwhelmingly hot tonight.
- On ne peut faire aucune activité en plein air, il fait une chaleur étouffante !We cannot engage in any outdoor activities, it's stifling hot!
- La canicule arrive en juillet.The heatwave arrives in July.
- Nous ne sommes pas habitués à cette canicule.We are not used to this heatwave.
- Il faut se méfier de la canicule.One must be careful during the heatwave.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are talking about the temperature outside.
- GabrielIl fait vraiment trop chaud aujourd'hui.It is really too hot today.
- EmmaOui, c'est le début de la canicule.Yes, it is the start of the heatwave.
- GabrielEst-ce que ça va durer longtemps ?Is it going to last long?
- EmmaOn prévoit une canicule de cinq jours.A five-day heatwave is forecast.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry canicule, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries canicule, CC BY-SA 4.0.
