fracturation hydraulique
feminine
Hydraulic fracturing in French is fracturation hydraulique. Wiktionary also lists hydrofracturation and fracking.
Meaning: technique in which a mixture of water and sand is forced down an oil well (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| fracturation hydraulique | feminine |
| hydrofracturation | feminine |
| fracking | masculine |
The term refers to a technique in which a mixture of water and sand is forced down an oil well.
Which one should you use?
While fracturation hydraulique is a standard way to express the concept, hydrofracturation serves as a more technical, single-word synonym. Additionally, the English loanword fracking is also used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
fracturation hydraulique and hydrofracturation are formal terms. In contrast, fracking is an informal term often used in casual conversation and French media.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the noun fracturation is feminine, the definite article used is la (as in la fracturation hydraulique). Note that the informal term fracking is masculine.
Did you know?
- In France, the term fracturation hydraulique is inextricably linked to le principe de précaution, a legal doctrine that allows the government to restrict activities even if scientific certainty is lacking.
- While France frequently uses the multi-word fracturation hydraulique, technical experts in Quebec and Canadian French prefer the single-word hydrofracturation.
- Beyond oil wells, hydraulique is the standard term for the power systems used in heavy machinery like excavators and cranes.
Examples in context
- La fracturation hydraulique emploie de l'eau à haute pression pour former des fissures dans le schiste chargé d'hydrocarbures.Hydraulic fracturing makes use of high-pressure water to create cracks in hydrocarbon-bearing shale.This sentence demonstrates how fracturation hydraulique is used to describe the process of using high-pressure water to create cracks in shale.Tatoeba #2126871 by sacredceltic, translation #2125728 by halfb1t
- As-tu entendu parler de la fracturation hydraulique ?Have you heard about hydraulic fracturing?
- Oui, le fracking, non ?Yes, fracking, right?
- La fracturation hydraulique est une méthode controversée.Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial method.
- Ils utilisent la fracturation hydraulique pour extraire le gaz.They use hydraulic fracturing to extract gas.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are discussing environmental news.
- GabrielTu penses quoi de la fracturation hydraulique, Emma ?What do you think about hydraulic fracturing, Emma?
- EmmaJe pense que c'est dangereux pour l'eau.I think it is dangerous for the water.
- GabrielC'est vrai, mais cela crée des emplois.That's true, but it creates jobs.
- EmmaL'environnement est plus important que ça, Gabriel.The environment is more important than that, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hydraulic fracturing” translations and entries fracturation hydraulique, hydrofracturation, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
