glacier
/ɡla.sje/masculine
The English phrase ice cream parlor is translated into French using glacier. Wiktionary also lists glacerie and bar laitier.
Meaning: business (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| glacier | /ɡla.sje/ | masculine |
| glacerie | /ɡla.sʁi/ | feminine |
| bar laitier | /baʁ lɛ.tje/ /baʁ le.tje/ |
masculine |
The terms refer to a business.
Which one should you use?
In France, the term glacier refers to the establishment that sells ice cream.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, bar laitier is commonly used to refer to an ice cream parlor or dairy bar, while the term crèmerie is used to refer to ice cream parlors.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡla.sje/
Did you know?
- In French, the word glace is a homonym that can mean 'ice cream', 'ice', 'mirror' or 'window pane'.
- The word bar in bar laitier shares an ancestor with the word for the 'perch' fish in Proto-Germanic.
- In France, a glacier is often an artisanal shop, whereas in North America, a bar laitier often suggests a seasonal drive-in style establishment.
Examples in context
- Quels sont les parfums du jour ?What are today's flavors?
- Combien coûte une coupe de glace ?How much does a sundae cost?
- Avez-vous des sorbets ?Do you have any sorbets?
- Ce glacier est ouvert tard le soir.This ice cream parlor is open late at night.
- Il y a un nouveau glacier en ville.There is a new ice cream parlor in town.
- Nous allons au glacier après le dîner.We are going to the ice cream parlor after dinner.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are walking in the city center.
- ChloéTu as envie d'aller au glacier ?Do you feel like going to the ice cream parlor?
- GabrielOui, j'ai très envie d'une glace.Yes, I really want an ice cream.
- ChloéRegarde, il y a un glacier là-bas !Look, there is an ice cream parlor over there!
- GabrielC'est parfait, allons-y.That's perfect, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ice cream parlor” translations and entries glacier, glacerie, bar laitier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bar, bar laitier, glacerie, glacier, laitier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
