trait d'union
/tʁɛ d‿y.njɔ̃/masculine
The English word "hyphen" can be translated into French as trait d'union. Wiktionary also lists tiret and tiret du 6.
Meaning: symbol used to join words or to indicate a word has been split (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| trait d'union | /tʁɛ d‿y.njɔ̃/ | masculine |
| tiret | /ti.ʁɛ/ | masculine |
| tiret du 6 | /ti.ʁɛ dy sis/ | masculine |
A hyphen is a symbol used to join words or to indicate a word has been split. In French, trait d'union is the specific grammatical term for a hyphen used to join words.
What does it mean word for word?
The term trait d'union literally translates to "line of union" or "stroke of union".
Which one should you use?
While trait d'union is the precise grammatical term, tiret is a more general term for a dash or a small line and is often used informally to refer to a hyphen. Additionally, tiret du 6 is a colloquial way to refer to the hyphen key on a standard French keyboard, as the hyphen is located on the 6 key.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun trait d'union is masculine and is used with the indefinite article un.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʁɛ d‿y.njɔ̃/
Did you know?
- The colloquial name tiret du 6 is used specifically to distinguish the hyphen from the underscore, which is known as the tiret du 8.
- The word trait in trait d'union shares an ancestral root with the Latin 'tractus', meaning 'a drawing or a pulling'.
- While English speakers use 'hyphen' for the symbol and 'dash' for the longer mark, French speakers often use the general term tiret for both in everyday conversation.
Examples in context
- Il faut un trait d'union ici.A hyphen is needed here.This sentence shows how to state that a hyphen is required in a specific location using trait d'union.Tatoeba #8475163 by Aiji, translation #8419964 by AlanF_US
- Ce mot prend un trait d'union.This word is spelled with a hyphen.This sentence describes a single word that requires the use of trait d'union.Tatoeba #8427377 by Aiji, translation #8420084 by AlanF_US
- Tous ces mots prennent un trait d'union.All these words are spelled with a hyphen.This sentence refers to a group of words that all require trait d'union.Tatoeba #8427376 by Aiji, translation #8420086 by AlanF_US
- Lorsque vous rédigez un texte, n'oubliez pas d'utiliser le trait d'union correctement.When writing a text, don't forget to use the hyphen correctly.
- En français, on utilise parfois le tiret pour séparer les mots.In French, we sometimes use the hyphen to separate words.
- arrière-grand-pèreGreat-grandfather
- pré-réserverTo pre-book
- dix-septième siècleSeventeenth century
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are checking a text for spelling errors.
- LéaEst-ce qu'il manque un trait d'union ici ?Is there a missing hyphen here?
- NathanOui, il faut en ajouter un.Yes, one needs to be added.
- LéaMerci de l'avoir remarqué.Thanks for noticing it.
- NathanDe rien, c'est important pour l'orthographe.You're welcome, it's important for the spelling.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hyphen” translations and entries trait d'union, tiret, tiret du 6, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, tiret, tiret du 6, trait, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
