ouragan
/u.ʁa.ɡɑ̃/masculine
The English word 'hurricane' is translated into French as ouragan.
ouragan is a masculine noun used to describe a hurricane, which is a powerful weather phenomenon.
Meaning: weather phenomenon (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ouragan is used for Atlantic hurricanes, cyclone is the term used for similar weather phenomena in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific. Additionally, cyclone tropical is a formal synonym for hurricane.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun ouragan is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /u.ʁa.ɡɑ̃/.
Did you know?
- The word ouragan actually traces its roots back to the Caribbean language Taíno, specifically the word *hurakābor.
- In French literature, the word ouragan is often used metaphorically to describe a sudden, violent outburst of passion or an overwhelming emotion that sweeps someone away.
- French has a specific term, tempête tropicale, for a tropical storm, which is a distinct step below an ouragan in intensity.
Examples in context
- C'est quoi, un ouragan ?What is a hurricane?This sentence shows how to ask for a definition of ouragan.Tatoeba #6322852 by Yemana, translation #6321901 by nile45
- C'est la saison des ouragans.It's the peak of hurricane season.This sentence describes the period known as hurricane season using ouragan.Tatoeba #6297563 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #6295664 by Hybrid
- L'ouragan se rapproche dangereusement.The hurricane is coming dangerously close.This sentence illustrates the movement of an ouragan approaching a location.Tatoeba #8977380 by Aiji, translation #2175005 by AlanF_US
- Le pays a été dévasté par un ouragan.The country was devastated by a hurricane.
- Les ouragans peuvent avoir des conséquences catastrophiques.Hurricanes can have catastrophic consequences.
- Le cyclone tropical a provoqué d'importants dommages.The tropical cyclone caused significant damage.
- Leur maison a été détruite par un ouragan.Their house was destroyed by a hurricane.
- Est-ce que tu as entendu parler de l'ouragan qui arrive?Have you heard about the hurricane that's coming?
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are watching the news about a tropical storm.
- HugoTu as entendu parler de l'ouragan ?Did you hear about the hurricane?
- ChloéOui, il est très puissant.Yes, it is very powerful.
- HugoChloé, est-ce que tu as peur ?Chloé, are you afraid?
- ChloéUn peu, mais nous sommes en sécurité.A little, but we are safe.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hurricane” translations and entries ouragan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ouragan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
